Spain coach Luis Enrique has paid tribute to his daughter Xana ahead of his side's Group E clash with Germany on what would have been her 13th birthday.
Xana tragically passed away from bone cancer in 2019 at the age of nine and Luis Enrique stepped down as Spain coach in the latter stages of her illness to spend time with his family, before returning to the post in November that year.
Luis Enrique recently mentioned Xana in one of his Twitch streams from Qatar and posted an emotional message on his Instagram account on Sunday.
"Today, not only are we playing against Germany," he said in a video filmed on his morning bike ride. "Today is also a very special day because Xanita would have turned 13 years of age.
"Amore, wherever you are, lots of kisses, have a great day and we love you."
Luis Enrique's other daughter, Sira, also remembered her little sister on Instragam.
"Happy birthday princess, we miss you always," she wrote in an Instagram story which featured a picture of the two of them together on a paddle board. Another image showed Xana on her own, posing with a smile on the beach.
Sira is in a relationship with Barcelona forward Ferran Torres, who will be expected to start for Spain against Germany in what will be an emotional night for Luis Enrique and all of his family.
