Argentine influencer makes New Zealand's 'least-known' World Cup footballer go viral

A viral campaign by an Argentine influencer has unexpectedly propelled New Zealand footballer Tim Payne into the global spotlight. Valen Scarsini, known as “elscarso” on Instagram, posed a challenge: what if the World Cup featured its least-known player? After analyzing the rosters of all 48 competing nations, Scarsini identified New Zealand's Tim Payne as the player with the fewest Instagram followers.

The initiative resonated widely, with users worldwide embracing the mission to support Payne. His follower count surged dramatically, jumping from the thousands into the hundreds of thousands. Payne, born in Auckland in 1994, has had a 16-year career. He debuted in 2010 for Auckland City's youth team before moving to the senior squad. He also played for Waitakere United, winning two New Zealand championships, and had a stint in England with Blackburn Rovers.

Since 2016, Payne has played in New Zealand's top division, currently with Wellington Phoenix, where he wears number 6 and is contracted until 2028. His market value is estimated at 350,000 euros. He reached 50 caps for the New Zealand national team on March 30, 2026, and was selected for the FIFA World Cup 2026 squad. The All Whites will debut in the tournament on June 15 against Iran, followed by matches against Egypt and Belgium. Beyond football, Payne enjoys golf and is reportedly in a relationship with photographer Michelle Peters.