New Zealand Defender Gains Sudden Social Media Fame

New Zealand’s football player Tim Payne has recently become a viral sensation. This surge in popularity is due to Argentine influencer Valen Scarsini, known online as “elscarso”. Scarsini created a video urging his followers to support Payne by liking, commenting, and following his social media accounts. Payne’s Instagram presence dramatically grew from just 4,715 followers to an impressive 660,000 followers, surpassing even the followers of New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

In response to the unexpected fame, Payne reached out to Scarsini, expressing gratitude. Payne said, “Was wondering why my socials were blowing up and found your post, man. Appreciate the love! Gracias, hermano.”

Payne first became known to a wider audience in 2020 during the pandemic. He made headlines for breaking quarantine in Australia and faced charges for drunk driving after taking a golf cart on a joyride with one of his teammates. The incident resulted in a nearly $500 fine imposed by a Sydney court, based on media reports.

Despite this past incident, Payne has maintained a low profile in recent years. Now 32 years old and recognized for his versatility on the field, he aims to contribute significantly to New Zealand’s national team at the World Cup. He’s looking to increase his record of 50 caps for his country while being part of Darren Bazeley’s squad for the tournament.

New Zealand holds the position of the lowest-ranked team in the World Cup this year. They start their campaign against Iran in Los Angeles on June 15. Their matches in Group G also include games against Egypt and Belgium.