Steven Pienaar has sent a message to Leighton Baines after hearing recent news about his former Everton teammate.
Leighton Baines and Steven Pienaar struck up quite the partnership down the left-hand side during their time at Goodison Park together.
Both players were snapped up in the summer of 2007 and went on to play 185 games for Everton as a duo.
They were separated in January 2011 as Pienaar made the switch to Tottenham before returning to Merseyside just a year later.
For many Everton fans, Baines and Pienaar remains one of the most entertaining and dynamic partnerships we’ve seen at Goodison Park over the years.
The duo were integral to David Moyes’ successful spell at the club after building an almost telepathic understanding with each other.
Now, eight years after the duo played their last game together, Pienaar has sent a message to his former teammate.
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Pienaar reacts after hearing news about Baines
Baines received his UEFA Pro License at a graduation ceremony over the weekend, where Toffees boss Sean Dyche was a guest speaker at the event.
Everton took to Instagram to congratulate their former skipper and current Under-18s manager.
This prompted Pienaar to send his old friend a message, where he congratulated Baines for his achievement.
He wrote: “Congrats Bazza.”
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What Pienaar said about Baines after Everton retirement
After 13 years in Merseyside, Baines hung up his boots in 2020 and finished his career with Everton.
The Englishman is undoubtedly viewed as a club legend after some dazzling performances following his switch from Wigan Athletic in 2007.
Pienaar spoke to Everton’s official website after Baines called time on his long playing career and had nothing but praise for his close friend.
“People said how good a partnership it was but you never realise while you are playing,” Pienaar said. “I played a few games with Leighton in pre-season [ahead of 2008/09] and most of the time we were on the same team in training.
“I am always attracted to players who want to play a passing game – and it started to click. But we never said anything to each other about it.”
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