Luis Enrique’s daughter’s death to be honoured with minute’s silence before all La Liga games

Former Spain manager Luis Enrique’s daughter, Xana, passed away on Thursday after a five-month battle with cancer

A minute’s silence will be held in remembrance of Luis Enrique’s daughter ahead of this weekend’s fixture in Spain’s first and second tiers, La Liga has announced.

Xana passed away on Thursday at the age of nine after a five-month battle with bone cancer.

An official statement from La Liga said: “A minute of silence will be held ahead of all La Liga Santander and La Liga Smartbank matches this weekend in memory of Xana, daughter of Luis Enrique.”

Luis Enrique left his post as Spain manager in June in order to spend more time with his daughter after she was diagnosed osteosarcoma, the most common form of bone cancer with particular prevalence among younger people.

Luis Enrique helmed Celta Vigo for two seasons in La Liga before taking over at Barcelona, where he won two La Liga titles.

As a player, he thrice won the Spanish title across a 15-year career at Sporting Gijon, Real Madrid and the Catalan club.

“Our daughter Xana passed away this afternoon aged nine after fighting for five intense months with osteosarcoma (bone cancer),” Enrique said in a statement.

“We want to say thanks for all the shows of warmth received over the past few months and we appreciate the discretion and comprehension shown.

“We also want to thank the staff at the Sant Joan de Deu and Sant Pau hospital for their dedication and treatment, to the doctors, nurses and all the volunteers. With a special mention to the palliative care team at Sant Joan de Deu.

“We will miss you a lot but we will remember you every day of our lives with the hope that one day in the future we will meet again. You will be the star that guides our family. Rest (in peace) Xanita.”