When Luis Enrique arrived in Paris in July 2023, he introduced himself simply and directly: “On va gagner” — “we’re going to win.”
That phrase, repeated often, has become the clearest expression of the man behind Paris Saint-Germain’s stunning transformation.
A year on, Enrique has delivered back-to-back Ligue 1 titles, kept PSG unbeaten in the league, and reignited hopes of Champions League glory.
But perhaps his biggest achievement lies not in silverware, but in reshaping the club’s very identity — from a collection of stars to a unified, hungry and disciplined team.
Enrique’s approach is grounded in intensity and humility. A man forged through personal tragedy — losing his daughter Xana in 2019 — he brings raw humanity and deep perspective to a game often clouded by ego.
He speaks about Xana with grace and calm, and in her memory, he and his wife created a foundation for families of terminally ill children.
On the pitch, Enrique’s obsession with discipline, repetition and structure has paid off. He challenges even his biggest stars — once reminding Kylian Mbappe, post-hat-trick, that defence matters just as much as goals.
“If the team with the best player always won,” he said, “PSG would already have eight Champions Leagues.”
Initially reluctant to take the PSG job, thinking it was all about flashy names, he was drawn in by a new vision: team over celebrity. Out went Neymar and Verratti.
Messi had already left. In came youth, structure and relentless pressing.
He is unbothered by critics. He avoids interviews, mocks media opinions, and once said he’d take a pay cut to never speak to journalists again.
Yet, paradoxically, he’s bared his soul in documentaries and streamed on Twitch as Spain’s national coach — sharing everything from tactical philosophy to his hatred of cheese and his sleep habits.
What drives him isn’t approval, but purpose. Whether walking barefoot for spiritual balance, stretching every 30 minutes, or weaving through his living room during home workouts, Luis Enrique is a man on a mission. A mission that’s working.
PSG is no longer just a headline act. It’s a team. And Enrique, whether or not he wins the Champions League, has already delivered something far rarer: identity.
