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Steven Pienaar. Photo by Paul Blank.

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Steven Pienaar

Steven Pienaar is a South African former professional footballer who primarily played as a winger, but also played as an attacking midfielder and is the current assistant coach of the U18 team of the Ajax Youth Academy.

He was a captain of the South African national team. Pienaar is currently also serving as an international ambassador at former club Everton. Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting about him;

1. Pienaar made his international debut in 2002

A former under-17 international, Pienaar made his international debut for South Africa in a 2–0 win against Turkey in 2002. He earned a total of 61 caps and scored just three goals throughout his international career.

Pienaar participated in two world cup tournaments, the 2002 and 2010 World Cups, the latter on home soil. On 2 October 2012, Pienaar announced his retirement from international duties. He retired from professional football in March 2018.

2. His career was hampered by numerous repeated injuries

Steven Pienaar Training von Borussia Dortmund. Photo by Northwood09.

His playing career was often hampered by numerous and repeated injuries which made it hard for him to reach his full potential. He however showed his talents whenever he was fully fit and was given game time to show it.

His most renowned playing time was perhaps during his time with English premier league side Everton, with whom he almost reached his full potential had it not been for those injuries he suffered.

3. Pienaar did not make an impact on the international stage

Steven Pienaar warming up for Everton in 2015. Photo by Tommy Low from Singapore.

Pienaar retired from international football in 2012 without truly making an impact, a contribution which has been viewed as a massive disappointment.

The reality though was that Pienaar had never really asserted his authority on the international stage, but this perhaps was down to the fact that none of the Bafana Bafana coaches was able to utilise him effectively.

Nevertheless, despite his struggles over the years in a Bafana jersey and the injury woes which hampered his progress, Pienaar has surely done enough to cement his name amongst the best South African players in the game’s history.

4. He was raised by a single mother

He was raised by a single mother, Denise in Westbury, Johannesburg. His mother believed in him and she did all she could to ensure that his dreams come true.

He attributes all his success to his mother, who was a guiding hand in his school and football career. He says if it wasn’t for his mother he would have ended up in a gang.

Pienaar is from the mixed South African race community known as coloureds. He is nicknamed Schillo, a name given to him by friends after the exploits of Toto Schillaci during the 1990 FIFA World Cup.

5. Pienaar is a father of two beautiful daughters

He is the father of three beautiful children, Skylar and Aaliyah. He is married to Awa Abduleau. They have been married for 11 years, she is the mother of his second child, Aaliyah. In December 2021, Pienaar showed off his stunning Moroccan-themed wedding where the pair committed the rest of their lives to each other. 

Pienaar had also previously been involved in a relationship with a woman named Danielle Steeneveld, who is the mother of her first daughter Skylar Pienaar. 

6. His ex-girlfriend and mother to his first child sued him 

Pienaar’s ex-girlfriend Danielle Steeneveld attempted to sue him for ZAR10.8million in August 2009 for not marrying her. Danielle sued Pienaar for breach of promise stating that he promised to marry her. 

She said Steven Pienaar had ‘fallen madly in love with her and that she gave up living in their native South Africa to live with him while he played in Britain.

She was claiming 500,000 rands for patrimonial loss; 3.8million rand for injury to her name, self-esteem, and reputation after giving birth out of wedlock and 6.5millin rand compensation for the prospective loss.

7. He played for some of the biggest football clubs in different countries

Steven Pienaar of Everton against Fulham. Photo by Nick.

Pienaar played for several big clubs in different countries before he retired, starting his professional career in his home country with Ajax Cape Town before he moved to Ajax of Netherlands in January 2001. From the Dutch club, he moved to Borussia Dortmund and then to Everton on loan.

In January 2011, Pienaar moved to Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of £3 million on a four-year contract but returned to Everton in January 2012 on a six-month loan deal. On 19 August 2016, Pienaar signed a one-year contract with Sunderland. He made 17 appearances and his contract was not renewed at the end of the season.

Pienaar returned to South Africa, signing a one-year deal with Bidvest Wits in July 2017, but was released six months later. He later retired from professional football in March 2018 at the age of 36.

8. His net worth is around $10 million

Pienaar’s net salary is around $ 10 million and his wealth is primarily from his career as a professional football player. He is one of the highest-paid footballers from Africa. He primarily played as a winger, but also played as an attacking midfielder. 

He also got part of his wealth from commercial endorsements. He endorsed Addidas’s sportswear advertising campaign in the lead-up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Pienaar has also various sponsorship deals with companies like Adidas.

9. Piennar has also been involved in controversies

Pienaar has been involved in some controversies in his life including having some troubles with the law. He was caught speeding and when he didn’t go to court a warrant was issued for his arrest in 2012.

Pienaar was also charged with drunk driving and failure to comply with a traffic sign in central Liverpool in February 2010 and was also charged with assault over a nightclub brawl with the son of a government minister in his native South Africa in 2012.

10. He won several honours in his career

Pienaar has won several honours in his career as a player including the Eredivisie in the 2001–2002 and 2003–2004 seasons, the KNVB cup in the 2001-2002 season with Ajax and also the runners-up of the English FA cup with Everton in 2008-2009 season. 

He has also won several individual honours including; Ajax CT Young Player of the Season in 2000, Ajax Talent of the Year (Marco van Basten Award) in the 2002–2003 season, UEFA Champions League top assist provider in 2005–2006 season, SAFA Player of the Year in 2009 and Everton Player of the Season in the 2009–2010 season. 

He is regarded as one of the best African players and one of the richest African players following his accomplishments in Europe.