Luis Enrique, a football manager of Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain, married his longtime partner, Elena Cullell, and welcomed three children.
After PSG’s Champions League win, he paid tribute to his late daughter, Xana Martinez, who passed away due to bone cancer at 9.
Highlights
- Elena Cullell has been Luis Enrique’s unwavering support system since their marriage in 1997.
- They faced unimaginable heartbreak when their youngest daughter, Xana, passed away from bone cancer at just nine years old.
- Elena studied economics in the U.S. before working as a flight attendant when she met Luis.
On a historic night in Munich, Luis Enrique shed tears of happiness and emotion as Paris St-Germain put on a performance of a lifetime to win the Champions League for the first time.
They beat Inter Milan to complete a continental treble, which is a first by a French club, and Luis became the second manager to achieve this twice.
On July 5, 2023, he succeeded Christophe Galtier and officially became the manager of Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain.
He won a domestic treble in his first season and also reached the Champions League semi-finals. Moreover, he lost no matches in the 2024-25 season.
Luis had led PSG to retain the Coupe de France. Previously, he had coached Barcelona, Celta, Italian Serie A club Roma, and the Spanish national team.
I’m very happy. It was very emotional at the end with the banner from the fans for my family. But I always think about my daughter.
Luis Enrique
Since day one, I said I wanted to win important trophies, and Paris had never won the Champions League. We did it for the first time. It’s a great feeling to make many people happy.
Luis Enrique’s Wife, Elena Cullell, Is The Invisible Force Behind His Football Empire
Luis Enrique and his wife, Elena Cullell, have successfully maintained an exceptional level of privacy in the high-profile world of football.
Their relationship, spanning over two decades, stands out as a rare example of discretion and stability in the sports industry.
8.Elena Cullel, wife of Luis Enrique pic.twitter.com/GeinHPDINp
— Miss ADEL🦋🦚🌹 (@a_derll) May 16, 2024
Elena Cullell met Luis Enrique in the mid-1990s when he had just signed for FC Barcelona as a player. She worked as a flight attendant at that time, and their connection quickly deepened.
Just a year after meeting, the couple married on December 27, 1997, at Barcelona’s historic Basilica of Santa María del Mar, surrounded by 200 guests.
Elena has been a constant and unwavering presence in Luis’s life, supporting him through his transitions from player to coach.
Despite her husband’s fame, she has always preferred to stay out of the public eye, with only rare photographs revealing details about their relationship.
Elena was born into a well-established Catalan family. She is the daughter of Isabel Falguera and Francesc Cullell, a retired textile entrepreneur.
She grew up in Gavà, a coastal town near Barcelona, where she attended the French Lyceum of Bon Soleil. After completing her secondary education, she pursued higher studies in the United States, eventually becoming an economist.
She has consistently maintained a low profile, prioritizing her career and family over seeking media attention.
Her reserved nature contrasts with the often flashy world of football, making her an intriguing figure among WAGs (Wives and Girlfriends of athletes).
Luis Enrique And His Three Children With Elena Cullell
Luis Enrique Martínez, the renowned football manager and former player, shares three children with his wife, Elena Cullell.
Their family has experienced both joyous triumphs and heartbreaking tragedy, shaping the personal life of one of football’s most respected figures.
Pacho Martinez is the eldest child, born in 1998. He developed a passion for football in his early years but realized that his talents lay elsewhere.
Instead of pursuing a football career, he chose a different professional path, stepping out of his father’s shadow to carve his own identity.
Moreover, Luis and Elena welcomed their first daughter, Sira Martínez, on April 1, 2000. She found her calling in equestrian sports, becoming a skilled show jumper.
Her personal life has also drawn attention due to her relationship with Barcelona and Spanish national team star Ferran Torres.
Similarly, the married couple welcomed their youngest daughter, Xana Martínez, in November 2010.
Tragically, her life was cut short at just 9 when she lost her battle with osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer, in August 2019.
Her illness was brief but devastating. She fought bravely for five months before passing away.
Her death left an indelible mark on her family, particularly Luis, who has often spoken about her with deep emotion.
I remember an incredible photo I have with my late daughter Xana, after winning the Champions League, placing a Barça flag on the pitch. I wish I could do the same with PSG. She won’t be there physically, but she’ll be there spiritually, and that’s very important to me.
Luis Enrique
One of the most touching moments in Luis’ career came after Barcelona’s 2015 Champions League victory over Juventus.
He helped Xana plant a Barcelona flag in the center circle, a memory he later described as one of his most cherished.
After her passing, he honored her in heartfelt ways. He wore a T-shirt with a cartoon image of himself and Xana planting a PSG flag, following a victory as Paris Saint-Germain’s manager.
The club’s Ultras also paid tribute by unveiling a giant banner featuring father and daughter in PSG colors, recreating that poignant moment.
I have no words. No one is prepared for something like this. Today, heaven has stolen what wasn’t its own. To Luis Enrique and his entire family, from afar, I send my most sincere hug.
Alejandro Sanz
Additional Information
- 55-year-old Luis Enrique Martínez García was born on May 8, 1970, in Gijon, Spain.
- He began his football career with local Sporting de Gijón and gained the nickname Lucho, after Luis Flores, a Mexican forward on the team.
- He played three FIFA World Cups for Spain in 1994, 1998, and 2002.
- On June 23, 2002, he retired from international football to give the younger players more playing time and focus only on his club.
