Electrifying Argentine winger and World Cup winner whose dazzling pace, blond mane and extravagant skills made him one of the most iconic players of the late 1980s and 1990s.
Claudio Paul Caniggia was born in Henderson, Buenos Aires on 9 January 1967. Nicknamed 'Son of the Wind' for his extraordinary pace, Caniggia was one of the most exciting forwards of his era. He emerged at River Plate before moving to Italy with Hellas Verona and then Atalanta. His career-defining moment came at the 1990 World Cup, where his goal against Brazil in the Round of 16 and his semi-final heroics helped Argentina reach the final. A serious injury sustained through drugs testing kept him out of the game for 13 months. He joined Benfica and then Roma before moving to Juventus, where he won Serie A in 1997. He later played for Atalanta, Dundee, Rangers and Boca Juniors. For Argentina he earned 50 caps and scored 16 goals, appearing at three World Cups (1990, 1994, 2002).
Serie A 1997 (Juventus)
His goal against Brazil in the 1990 World Cup Round of 16 — a flicked header from a Maradona through ball — helped eliminate the favourites and remains one of the most celebrated goals in Argentine football history.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- Serie A 1997 (Juventus)
- World Cup finalist 1990