Fabian Ruiz (29), midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain, opened up to So Foot about his relationship with Luis Enrique. The Spaniard painted the portrait of a coach who is not only obsessed with football but also deeply human. For Ruiz, his manager doesn’t just lead a team — he transforms mindsets.
Ruiz: “For those of us who live in a bubble, it’s important to have a coach like him.”
“He’s taught me a lot. He spends 24 hours a day thinking like a coach, but with him, it goes far beyond football. Despite all the personal hardships he’s faced, he still manages to draw something positive from everything. It’s an incredible life lesson. He makes you value what truly matters. For those of us who live in a bubble, it’s important to have a coach like him.”
Ruiz: “He told me I was going to be important.”
“He doesn’t talk to each of us individually very often, but I remember one conversation where he showed me some of my plays, with corrections. He tried to explain exactly what he expected from me. He told me that if I did what he asked, I would play, that he was happy to have me in the squad. He assured me that I was going to be important.”
Ruiz: “Bringing out the best in every player.”
“His greatest quality? Bringing out the best in every player — getting the most out of everyone. He doesn’t let anyone relax, no matter who they are, their age, or their position. It’s something he knows how to do like no one else, and it pays off.”
Through his words, Fabian Ruiz reveals a very different Luis Enrique from the cold and distant image some people still associate with him. The PSG coach acts more like a demanding mentor — one who pushes each player to their limits, but always in the spirit of personal growth.
It’s no coincidence that several of the club’s senior players say they’ve found new balance since his arrival. The former Spain national team coach focuses not only on tactics, but also on awakening his players’ awareness — reminding them that football is not just about numbers or stats.
Drawing from his own life experiences, Luis Enrique transmits a calm yet contagious energy, instilling a sense of meritocracy and collective purpose. That may very well be the secret behind PSG’s 2025 identity: a united team led by a coach who shapes people first — and champions second.
