Luis Enrique: A Heart Still Beating for Barcelona
On the eve of a high-stakes clash, Luis Enrique’s words carried both warmth and admiration. Though his career has taken him across Europe’s biggest stages, the bond with Barcelona remains unbreakable.
“Barcelona is my city, my home,” he smiled, his tone softening. “I can’t say a single negative thing—I’ll always be grateful. As a professional, I’ve felt loved everywhere, but coming back here reminds me of the affection of the fans.”
His affection extends not only to the club but also to its brightest stars. Few impressed him more than Pedri. “Pedri is an amazing player. I love watching Barcelona play this way, especially with him in the team.”
But Enrique’s admiration isn’t one-sided. Facing off against Hansi Flick’s Barcelona fills him with excitement rather than dread. “For us, it’s thrilling to play against a team that shares the same mentality as us and has a great coach like Flick. I love his team—he’s restored the club’s footballing identity. He doesn’t back down, he attacks, he knows how to defend very well. He’s a very high-level coach.”
Behind the praise lies a simple truth: Enrique remains, at heart, a Barça fan. “I love watching Barça! I’m still a Socio, still a fan. I follow their games. Barcelona is my home—I spent eight years as a player and six more as a coach, from the youth teams to the first team.”
For Luis Enrique, the rivalry may be professional, but the love for Barça is eternal.
