Luis Enrique (46) began his football career with local side Sporting de Gijon but it would be with La Liga giants Real Madrid where he cemented himself as a prominent attacking midfielder for six consecutive seasons.
Enrique then joined Los Blancos’ greatest rivals Barcelona on a free transfer, admitting he never quite felt appreciated in the Spanish capital. Despite the mixed reaction to his “defection”, he remained in Catalonia for eight years where he became captain and scored multiple times against his former club.
His final years were plagued by injuries and he was forced to retire early at the age of 34 with 400 games and 102 goals under his belt.
After retirement, Enrique practiced surfing in Australia as well as running marathons in New York, Amsterdam and Florence. But he returned to football, coaching Barcelona B before being appointed manager of Roma and then Celta Vigo. The job he yearned for was back at Camp Nou and in 2014 he returned to take the reins, guiding Barca to a remarkable Treble in his first season in charge.
More icons celebrating their birthday:
1960: Former AC Milan and Italy defender Franco Baresi (55, below) won three European Cups/Champions Leagues and six Serie A titles in a glittering career that also included a World Cup triumph with the Azzurri in 1982.
1972: Ray Whitney, highly under-appreciated hockey maestro known for his passing and tenacious play-making and high-point production. Only Spokane Chiefs player to have his number retired (43).
1978: Lúcio, former Brazilian World Cup winner who donned the Bayer Leverkusen, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich colours. Currently plays for Goa in the Indian Super League (37).
1981: Andrea Barzagli, World Cup winner who rose to fame as Palermo and Wolfsburg centre back before heading for Turin. With current club Juventus, the Florentine’s consistent performances saw him win a spot in the Serie A “Team of the Year” for three years running (34).
