Steven Pienaar
The silky-smooth South African playmaker whose creativity and vision made him a cult hero at Everton and a leader for his national team.
Born 1982 (age 44)·South African footballer·Birthday: March 17·Millennials
Biography
Steven Pienaar brought a touch of Johannesburg flair to the gritty pitches of the English Premier League. Nicknamed 'Schillo,' his career was a journey of resilience, beginning in the Ajax Cape Town academy before making his mark in Europe with Ajax Amsterdam. It was at Everton, however, where he truly became a legend. With low socks and quicker feet, he formed a magical left-side partnership with Leighton Baines, his trickery and incisive passing embodying the Toffees' attractive style under David Moyes. A stint at Tottenham was less fruitful, but his heart remained at Goodison Park, where he returned to a hero's welcome. As captain of South Africa, he shouldered the burden of expectation, leading Bafana Bafana and appearing in two World Cups. Pienaar's game was built on intelligence and technique, proving that physical stature is no match for footballing wit.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Steven was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Steven Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Steven's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Named Everton's Player of the Season for the 2009-2010 campaign, cementing his status as a fan favorite.
- Captained the South African national team, Bafana Bafana, and played in the 2002 and 2010 FIFA World Cups.
- Won the Dutch Eredivisie title and the KNVB Cup with Ajax Amsterdam in the 2003-2004 season.
- Earned over 60 caps for South Africa, serving as a key creative force for over a decade.
Did You Know?
His nickname 'Schillo' originated from his childhood resemblance to a Brazilian footballer named Schillaci.
He turned down a chance to play for the German national team, opting to represent his native South Africa.
After retiring, he moved into coaching, starting with the youth academy at Sharjah FC in the UAE.
“My game is about quick feet and seeing the pass before it's there.”
