New Zealand’s Tim Payne, a footballer used to developing his career away from the spotlight, has become one of the most striking stories of the World Cup preview thanks to a viral campaign born in Argentina that has mobilized millions of fans in support of him and the ‘All Whites’.
A New Zealand international for more than a decade, the Wellington Phoenix full-back was known until just a few weeks ago mainly to followers of Oceania soccer, where he has built a solid and discreet career, far from the media attention that usually accompanies the big stars of world soccer.
From unknown to viral star in days
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That reality suddenly changed when a social media campaign driven by Argentine content creator Valen Scarsini, known as ‘el Scarso’, chose Tim Payne as the ideal candidate to become the “protagonist” of the World Cup.
This is because he is considered the “least known” player among those called up for the event.
“There are only a few days left until the World Cup starts and we are all waiting to cheer on our national team.”
“But what if there was one footballer who brought us all together, someone we would support regardless of our nationality?”
Scarsini posed in a video posted on Instagram that already exceeds one million ‘likes’.
From 4 thousand followers to a worldwide sensation
The Argentine looked for the player with the fewest followers on social networks among those called up for the tournament.
His research ended up pointing to Tim Payne, who at the time had just over 4,700 followers on Instagram.
The initiative went viral in a matter of hours and boosted the popularity of the New Zealand defender.
He went from being virtually unknown outside of Oceania to gathering a global community of more than 3.7 million followers just days before the start of the tournament.
The World Cup is just a few days away
Valen Scarsini
The phenomenon has also generated memes, videos and even a viral song called “No Payne, No Gain”.
Shared by fans and accounts linked to Oceanic soccer, featuring the defender as the unexpected folk hero of the World Cup.
“Thank you so much for all the support. Excuse my Spanish,” said TimPayne, whose partner is Costa Rican, in a video posted on his social networks to thank “the love from around the world” received as a result of the campaign.
A career away from the spotlight
Born in Auckland in 1994, Timothy John Payne began his training at Auckland City before moving to England.
He came through the youth ranks at Blackburn Rovers of Lancashire and went on to play for the first team.
He later played in the United States and returned to Oceania.
Where he ended up consolidating his position at Wellington Phoenix, the only New Zealand club that competes in the A-League, the highest level of Australian soccer.
A regular at right-back, but also capable of playing as a center-back, Tim Payne made his international debut at the age of just 18.
Over time, he became one of the most experienced players on the national team.
The challenge of the ‘All Whites
Tim Payne’s viral breakthrough coincides with one of the most exciting times for New Zealand soccer in recent years.
The All Whites return to the World Cup with the aim of improving on their only two World Cup appearances, in Spain 1982 and South Africa 2010.
In that 2010 edition, New Zealand achieved a milestone by finishing the group stage undefeated thanks to draws against Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay.
Although he failed to advance to the round of 16.
The first challenge for Tim Payne and his team will come on June 15, when New Zealand opens against Iran in Los Angeles.
They will then face Egypt and Belgium in a group stage in which they will seek their first-ever World Cup victory.
And, perhaps, prolong a legend that began in social networks and has ended up going around the world.
With information from EFE
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com
