The twists and turns in Claudio Paul Caniggia's life: from glory as a footballer to a careful retirement and return as a successful manager.

He was the Son of the Wind , because he was faster than anyone in his era, when speed wasn't the most important requirement in football. Which means, of course, that he wasn't enormously talented. With his golden mane unchanged from his time as Yayi at Henderson until he crossed the finish line of professional football and became a member of Pájaro , Claudio Paul Caniggia became one of the best Argentine footballers who played in the 1980s and 1990s.

An icon of the national team who was one step away from winning the gold medal during the magical moments of Italy '90, the half-brother of Diego Armando Maradona, he was a champion of the Americas and the world with River Plate, but also had a brief stint with Boca Juniors. He shone at Hellas Verona, Atalanta, Roma, Sporting Lisbon, Dundee, and Glasgow Rangers until his retirement in Qatar 20 years ago. And today, at 58, he has made a transition that has been unprecedented as a coach.

Caniggia's retirement led to a step back from the sport that catapulted him to fame . In 2021, he joined Rossi Rezzónico, a representation agency led by Juan Pablo Rezzónico, a former Talleres de Córdoba player, and Horacio Rossi. From offices in the luxurious Faena Hotel in Puerto Madero, Pájaro began to get involved in managing football careers , a role that combines his knowledge of the game with his network of contacts on the international stage. In October, he went solo.

“He never wanted to be a coach. He doesn't like the daily grind. On the other hand, he worked helping a lot of people do business. He felt it was time to go solo,” a person close to him told Clarín . In that sense, he added his son to the staff, which also includes his girlfriend, Sofía Bonelli , a model, influencer, and journalist who manages his social media.

The former striker capitalizes on his prestige, and his focus isn't limited solely to closing contracts; he also focuses on guiding athletes toward decisions that will boost their long-term careers. A case in point is River Plate's promising youngster, Ian Subiabre , one of the most prominent names under Caniggia's management.

Also a striker, the 18-year-old is considered one of the jewels of the millionaires' youth system. In January 2025, he left Hernán Berman to work with Pájaro , motivated by his admiration for the former player and his desire to explore international opportunities. With a contract until December 2026 and a €30 million buyout clause , Subiabre is confident that Caniggia's knowledge will open doors for him in European football.

Daniel Herrera is another of the young stars represented by Caniggia. The 20-year-old defender from Salta, who established himself as a starter for San Lorenzo during Gastón Hernández 's injury, announced that the former striker is his agent with a photo on his Instagram account. Not long ago, Pájaro was at the Nuevo Gasómetro stadium this weekend, where Ciclón played Tigre in the quarterfinals of the Apertura Tournament. Santiago González, a midfielder on Caniggia's team, plays for Victoria.

Caniggia also represents Lucas Besozzi (Tigre), Rodrigo Insua (Barracas Central), and Santino Primante (Gimnasia). He also has an agreement with Gea World, a company with offices in Rome, Dubai, and London that represents, among other players, Mateo Retegui (Atalanta), Nicolás González (Juventus), and Marco Pellegrino (Huracán).

Another significant case is that of Pedro Troglio , Cani 's former teammate on the Argentine national team and a personal friend. In December 2024, he played a key role in helping the former midfielder—with whom he shared stints with River Plate, Hellas Verona, and the national team—take over as coach of Instituto de Córdoba .

During the official presentation, Caniggia explained his role: “When I heard they were looking for a coach, I appointed Pedro because I knew of his enthusiasm and desire to return to Argentine football. I acted as a link to expedite the negotiations.” After being fired by Instituto, Troglio was out of work for less than 20 days. He was immediately hired by Banfield .

"I always asked him to do something about football, since he has to be involved in football. But he never dared, he never wanted to. Thank God, he met people to work with, whom he trusts, and he's clearly having tremendous success. All the clubs want to sit down with him, all the team presidents respect him for what he was as a player, and Claudio is living it with great intensity," Troglio told Clarín .

And he added: "He's back on the playing fields and courts to be pampered. And for me, it's a pleasure to have my friend by my side, the one who gives me a hand, the one who takes care of me. For the good of football, it's great to see him back in his element, especially for the big players. It's spectacular."

Rezzónico, a former partner at the firm where Caniggia worked, spoke about the added value the former striker brings to his company. “Claudio has a unique vision of football, not only as a former player, but as someone who understands the business. His presence generates confidence in the players and clubs we negotiate with,” said the Italian.

This perception is reinforced by the speed with which Caniggia managed to position himself in a competitive market, working with a portfolio of approximately 20 footballers .

In March, his son Alex announced via social media: "I want to let you know that I'm working as a football agent. We're obviously with my dad, the number one, so if you're a player and need an agent, we'll find you a club. I don't just do television and other things, but I'm a worldly guy, a guy who knows what he's doing, a football agent."

After years apart due to the erosion of their relationship caused by their separation from Mariana Nannis, Pájaro and his son rekindled their relationship . The birth of Venezia , daughter of Alex and Melody Luz, was a catalyst.

In a world where footballers' careers depend as much on their talent as on the opportunities they receive, Caniggia stands as a reliable guide. And although he no longer flies through the wings, his influence continues to propel the next generation of Argentine footballers toward success .