The Spanish city of Gijón will pay tribute to Luis Enrique with a space that will bear his name facing the Cantabrian Sea. The City Council announced this Saturday that the new “green beach” located in the El Rinconín area will be named in honor of the current Paris Saint-Germain coach, in recognition of his sporting career and his permanent link with the town where he was born.

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The decision is part of an urban and recreational project that is being developed on the eastern coastal strip of the city, an area of ​​more than 27 thousand square meters that will combine sports, cultural and leisure spaces. The first stage of the work is scheduled to open during this European summer.

In the statement released by the Gijón corporation, the authorities highlighted the coach's roots in his hometown, despite his international career as a footballer and technical director.

"Despite his star status, Luis Enrique has always claimed his roots and maintains a close relationship with Gijón. For the city, 'Lucho', as he is affectionately known, is a source of pride and an example of excellence, dedication and values," said the City Council.

The tribute comes in one of the most outstanding moments of the Spanish coach's career. Luis Enrique has just won the first UEFA Champions League in the history of Paris Saint-Germain and on May 30 he will play, against Arsenal FC, a new consecutive final of the top European tournament.

A project facing the Cantabrian Sea with sports and recreational spaces

The future green beach will be based on the “Sea Breeze” design, a proposal created by architect Eloy Calvo, winner of the competition called to define the development of the space.

The project includes different areas organized into “islands” for sports, recreational and rest activities. Among the planned facilities are an 800 square meter lake, picnic areas, basketball courts, a skate park and circuits for BMX bicycles and skaters.

Spaces linked to educational and cultural uses will also be included, as well as open sectors for outdoor activities along the Cantabrian coast.

Luis Enrique was born in Gijón in 1970 and grew up in the Pumarín neighborhood. His first steps in football were at the Elisburu school and the Xeitosa team before joining the Mareo Football School at the age of eleven.

He later developed an outstanding professional career in clubs such as Sporting de Gijón, Real Madrid and Barcelona, ​​in addition to becoming international with the Spanish team.

As a coach he worked for teams such as Celta Vigo, Roma, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, a club with which he continues to expand his record in European football.