Against “four or five million euros for the benefit of his foundation”, Luis Enrique promises: “I tell Kylian (Mbappé) that he is a substitute against Barça”. Enough to set the tone for the one and a quarter hour live hosted this Thursday evening by the Spanish coach of PSG. Humor, a little football and a meeting dedicated to Xana, his 9-year-old daughter, who died in 2019 from a bone tumor. More than 460 days after his last “stream”, carried out on December 5, 2022 during the World Cup in Qatar, Luis Enrique opened this return to Internet users with ten minutes dedicated to the creation of this foundation.
“A project that we have been working on for several years,” explains the fifty-year-old, recalling that the “streams” carried out in Qatar brought in more than 30,000 euros for another foundation. The goal is to help families who do not have the means to help sick children. » Luis Enrique then presents the logo and a song in tribute to Xana before launching the questions and answers, all dressed in a black hoodie and in front of a background in the colors of the foundation. More than an hour in front of a maximum of 17,000 to 25,000 Internet users connected live.
At Barça, “there are 7 or 8 who could be starters at PSG”
As during the World Cup, Luis Enrique promises a session “without filter, in a direct and spontaneous way”. In his language, this means without the media, even if he will say at the end of the discussion all the “respect” he has for “part of the profession”. “Unfiltered” is true. Except that the Asturian is surrounded by assistants who select the questions, it should also be noted, which are not always very subtle. But once Luis Enrique reads a question, he doesn’t escape. Like one of his first interventions, which concerned the quarter-final of the Champions League between PSG and Barça.
“I see it as very difficult,” he says. Not because it’s a huge club but because with our staff, we asked ourselves this question: how many Barça players would start at PSG? Ter Stegen, Araujo, De Jong, Gündogan, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, without a doubt, Lewandowski, without a doubt… There are seven or eight who could be a starter at PSG. But also at Real, at Bayern, at Arsenal… It’s huge. » It’s hard not to imagine a small attack on his current squad, who can therefore see the frankness of their coach. Faced with a largely Hispanic audience, questions about Barça are multiplying.
Mbappé “is the only one who knows his future”
“Let us win,” proclaims one Internet user. “That’s going to be difficult”, laughs Luis Enrique before ensuring his professionalism: “I remain a member of Barça until my death, I remain a member of Sporting (Gijón, his city’s club) until my death . But it’s my job and I will give everything to help my team. » As for his favorite opponent in the semi-final if he qualifies? ” May the best win. But Atlético de Madrid to return to Spain, that would be good. And a Spanish club in the final. Or a friend like Mikel (Arteta, Arsenal coach) or Pep (Guardiola, Manchester City coach). »
100% PSG topics are rare during this live. He salutes “the gem Warren Zaire-Emery” or the “talent” of Xavi Simons, before his potential return to Paris. The first question about Kylian Mbappé arrives after 42 minutes. “He is the only one who knows his future,” says Luis Enrique, before responding with humor to a Barça fan wanting to see him on the sidelines. The rest of the live is animated by interventions on Spanish football, Fernando Alonso, or even cycling, his other passion: “Pogacar, I love him! But the Parisian climate is very rainy. I haven’t taken my bike out much so far. »
“Lamentable” in the language of Molière, Luis Enrique also defended Unai Emery, ex-PSG coach, mocked for his French accent. Before playing Parcoursup to help a student before an exam or giving advice to “stay young and attractive: eat eggs. » In short, it was pure Luis Enrique.
