Luis Enrique Martínez García is one of the most successful Spanish coaches of his generation. The Paris Saint-Germain manager was born in Gijón, Asturias, on May 8, 1970, and grew up in a working-class family in the northern Spanish city. His father was a truck driver and his mother was a seamstress. He is the eldest of three children.
His roots in Gijón remain important to him. In July 2026, the city honored him by naming a beach after him, and Luis Enrique became emotional while speaking about his parents and the family he built himself. He said his parents had always been his role models and spoke proudly about the family he created with his wife, Elena Cullell.
Who Is Luis Enrique’s Wife?
Luis Enrique has been married to Elena Cullell since December 27, 1997. The couple married in Barcelona after meeting when Luis Enrique was beginning his career at FC Barcelona. They have largely stayed away from the spotlight, choosing to keep their family life private.
Together, they have three children: Pacho, Sira and Xana. Luis Enrique has spoken about how important his family is to him, particularly during some of the most difficult moments of his life.
Luis Enrique’s Children
Their eldest son, Pacho, was born in 1998 and has maintained a much lower public profile than his sister. He studied auditing and financial management and has also pursued martial arts, competing in jiu-jitsu and other competitions.
Their daughter Sira, born in 2000, followed a different sporting path. She became a professional show jumper and won the Spanish championship in the young rider category. She has also become the most publicly visible of Luis Enrique's children because of her equestrian career and media presence.
Their youngest daughter, Xana, was born in 2009 and died on August 29, 2019, at the age of nine after battling osteosarcoma for five months. Luis Enrique had stepped away from his position as Spain coach in June 2019 for family reasons, before later announcing Xana's death.
On May 31, 2025, right after Paris Saint-Germain won their first-ever Champions League final against Inter Milan, PSG fans paid a moving tribute to Luis Enrique's late daughter, Xana. The fans unveiled a giant tifo tribute. The massive banner recreated a famous 2015 photo of Luis Enrique and Xana celebrating Barcelona's European Cup win, beautifully bridging his past and present teams.
The 2025 Champions League triumph therefore carried a deeply personal meaning for Luis Enrique. During the celebrations, he wore a shirt featuring an illustration of himself and Xana.
Luis Enrique’s Family Background and Xana’s Legacy
Luis Enrique is Spanish and comes from an Asturian background, having been born and raised in Gijón. His upbringing was far removed from the glamorous world he would later enter through football. Growing up in a modest neighborhood, he developed the competitive character that became one of his defining traits as both a player and a coach.
Details about his siblings are limited because Luis Enrique has consistently protected his private life. He is the eldest of three children, but his brothers and/or sister have largely remained outside the public spotlight.
