Football world rallies around grieving Barca legend Luis Enrique after tragic death of daughter Xana, 9, from cancer
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THE FOOTBALL world has rallied around former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique after the tragic death of his daughter from cancer.
Xana Enrique passed away aged just nine yesterday afternoon having battled osteosarcoma for five months.
Osteosarcoma is a rare type of bone cancer that develops in growing bones that most commonly develops in teenagers and young adults.
Manchester United led the way with sending their condolences to the Spanish manager and his family.
The club tweeted: "We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Luis Enrique and his loved ones at this extremely difficult time.
"The thoughts of everyone at Manchester United are with you.";
Marcus Rashford retweeted the club's message, writing: "Heartbreaking. Thoughts are with Luis and his family."
FOOTBALL IN MOURNING
Goalkeeper David De Gea, writing in Spanish, posted: "Speechless. A big hug for you and your family."
Barca striker Luis Suarez wrote: "Moment of much pain and sadness. Rest in peace."
And his team-mate at the Nou Camp, Gerard Pique, wrote: "I feel it in my soul. Rest Xana."
Celtic tweeted out: "#CelticFC sends its sincere condolences to Luis Enrique and his family at this tragic time."
AC Milan added: "Our thoughts and condolences are with Luis Enrique and his family for the loss of his daugther Xana. May she rest in peace."
'STAR THAT GUIDES OUR FAMILY'
And German outfit Borussia Dortmund posted: "Our thoughts and condolences go out to Luis Enrique and his family for the loss of his daughter."
The former Barca boss paid a touching tribute to his little girl as the "star that guides our family".
He confirmed the tragic news on social media saying: "Our daughter Xana has passed away this afternoon at the age of nine, after fighting for five intense months against osteosarcoma.
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BE ALERT: The signs of bone cancer
The two most common types of bone cancer are osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma.
Osteosarcoma is the more common of the two and usually occurs in the bones around the knee, while Ewing's tends to affect the bones of the pelvis, thigh, upper arm or ribs.
They're both more common in teens, with Ewing's being slightly more common in boys than in girls.
Both diseases have around 68 per cent survival rate.
Symptoms include:
- pain in bone
- stiffness, swelling or tenderness around a bone or joint
- trouble moving normally
- weak bones - leading to fractures
- fatigue
- fever
- weight loss
- anaemia (iron deficiency)
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"We will miss you very much, but we will [be reminded of] you every day of our lives in the hope that in the future we will meet again. You will be the star that guides our family.
"We appreciate the discretion and understanding. "
The 49-year-old ex-attacking midfielder also thanked the medical staff and priests at the Sant Joan de Deu and Sant Pau hospitals in Barcalona where his daughter was treated.