Luis Enrique, the 55-year-old Spanish manager of Paris Saint-Germain, has had a history of being somewhat underrated as a player.
One of the chosen few to have played with success for both Real Madrid and Barcelona, Enrique played as an attacking player for Real Madrid but ended his playing career as a defensive midfielder for Barcelona.
His utility and versatility were often not acknowledged well enough in his playing days, as he largely lived in the shadows of flashier Spanish teammates like Raul and Guti.
Now, as a manager, he continues to be underrated despite achieving success on a regular basis.
In Messi’s Shadow: Luis Enrique’s Underrated Barcelona Legacy
Enrique won the biggest club title in European football as the Barcelona manager in 2015. However, the trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar hogged the limelight for Barca.
Enrique did not come up with enough tactical innovations like his illustrious predecessor at Barca, Pep Guardiola, but got the job done nevertheless. However, Enrique’s legacy at Barca is not appreciated as much as Guardiola’s.
Enrique won a couple of La Liga titles for Barca as well and then followed it up with two more Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain.
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On the Brink of Immortality in Paris
Although, winning the domestic league title with PSG in France is treated somewhat as a foregone conclusion, just like winning the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich is.
Hence, Enrique will be able to prove his worth as a manager to his critics only by winning the UCL with PSG. He is only a step away from doing that, as the French club has reached the UCL title along with Inter Milan.
PSG have eliminated three English clubs – Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal – from the tournament.
They have quite possibly the best three-man midfield in the world with Vitinha, Joao Never and Fabian Ruiz. Then they have Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, one of the most exciting wingers, and Ousmane Dembele, a Ballon d’Or contender with 33 goals this season so far.
A wonderful goalkeeper like Gianluigi Donnarumma and seasoned defenders like Marquinhos, Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes have made Enrique’s job easier.
His team play a very exciting brand of football and have ensured their third successive Ligue 1 title already.
As the team goes from strength to strength, Enrique keeps on building his legacy in the French capital.
Winning his second UCL title in Munich as a manager, which will also be the first for Paris Saint-Germain, will catapult him to an even higher position as a manager.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / PsnewZ
Recording Date: 07.05.2025