EFCTim Cahill
Player Valuation: £2.5m
just read the following article: STEVEN Pienaar has reinforced his religious beliefs, stating he believes the angels “guide” him when he’s on the pitch.
The wiry South African winger, who’s yet to sign an extended contract at Goodison Park, is famous for his “God is Great” vest that he dons underneath his royal blue jersey for each Everton game.
And Pienaar insists his mother is at the heart of his beliefs.
He said: ‘My mum is a very committed Christian and was always on my case. No-one can force you to believe, though. I just listened at church, and everything made sense. I wear the vest because God truly is great. He is on high. I believe He is with me and the angels are guiding me on the pitch, and it is a way of acknowledging that.
‘There is mickey-taking, inevitably. We lost the other week, and Phil Neville said to me, “Was God great today, Steven?” I don’t let it bother me, though. It goes in one ear and out the other.
‘My faith is really strong and helps me in difficult times, like when my little girl Skyla’s mother started making up these stories about me after we broke up. If people wanted to believe them, fine. I kept quiet, because it was someone looking for attention, and I was not going to get drawn into her games.
Perhaps more striking than his religious admissions, however, is Pienaar’s open mind when it comes to his footballing future. Everton’s number 20 heads to South Africa for a World Cup as a wanted man.
He continued: ‘There are always rumours, and Bayern Munich keep being mentioned, but I am not aware of anything happening. There have been talks about a new deal at Everton, but that seems to have gone quiet.
‘It was always a dream to play in the Premier League, and my focus is fully on getting us to where we want to be this season. But I am an adventurous person. I am always looking to learn new things, and if there was an opportunity to return to Holland or Germany, or try a new country like Russia, I would look at it.
‘Chances to experience different people and a new culture don’t always come along more than once in a lifetime, and I would consider it, just as I would consider staying with Everton.’ Looks like he is ready to move elsewhere this summer
The wiry South African winger, who’s yet to sign an extended contract at Goodison Park, is famous for his “God is Great” vest that he dons underneath his royal blue jersey for each Everton game.
And Pienaar insists his mother is at the heart of his beliefs.
He said: ‘My mum is a very committed Christian and was always on my case. No-one can force you to believe, though. I just listened at church, and everything made sense. I wear the vest because God truly is great. He is on high. I believe He is with me and the angels are guiding me on the pitch, and it is a way of acknowledging that.
‘There is mickey-taking, inevitably. We lost the other week, and Phil Neville said to me, “Was God great today, Steven?” I don’t let it bother me, though. It goes in one ear and out the other.
‘My faith is really strong and helps me in difficult times, like when my little girl Skyla’s mother started making up these stories about me after we broke up. If people wanted to believe them, fine. I kept quiet, because it was someone looking for attention, and I was not going to get drawn into her games.
Perhaps more striking than his religious admissions, however, is Pienaar’s open mind when it comes to his footballing future. Everton’s number 20 heads to South Africa for a World Cup as a wanted man.
He continued: ‘There are always rumours, and Bayern Munich keep being mentioned, but I am not aware of anything happening. There have been talks about a new deal at Everton, but that seems to have gone quiet.
‘It was always a dream to play in the Premier League, and my focus is fully on getting us to where we want to be this season. But I am an adventurous person. I am always looking to learn new things, and if there was an opportunity to return to Holland or Germany, or try a new country like Russia, I would look at it.
‘Chances to experience different people and a new culture don’t always come along more than once in a lifetime, and I would consider it, just as I would consider staying with Everton.’ Looks like he is ready to move elsewhere this summer
