The nine-year-old daughter of Spanish coach Luis Enrique dies of cancer | Sports

MADRID, Aug. 30 – Former Spanish coach Luis Enrique announced yesterday the death of his nine-year-old daughter of a bone cancer.

"Our daughter Xana died this afternoon at nine, after struggling for five intense months against osteosarcoma," tweeted Luis Enrique.

"We will miss you a lot but we will remember you every day of our life," he added.

Luis Enrique resigned from his national coaching post in June "for reasons that had prevented me from fulfilling my mandate normally since last March," he said at the time.

His personal problem has never been publicized, until now.

Assistant Robert Moreno has led the last three games of Spain. He will now lead the team in qualifying for Euro 2020 and the finals. This is his first job as a professional coach.

In his poignant article on Twitter, Luis Enrique thanked all the messages of support "received during these months".

Football personalities quickly sent their condolences to Enrique. His former captain, Sergio Ramos, said on Twitter: "All our support and love for you and your family. There are no words, but you always have us at your side. "

The president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, sent a message to his former coach: "Always by your side, next to (Enrique's wife), Elena and all your family."

The giants of La Liga, Barcelona and Real Madrid, also expressed their condolences on social media, while the reaction to the sad news spread to other sports.

"I have just heard the terrible news of Xana's death. I am very sad and can not even imagine the pain of the family, "wrote tennis player Rafael Nadal, currently at the US Open in New York.

"A big hug to Luis Enrique and the whole family by far. A lot of strength and encouragement in these difficult times. – AFP