{"id":176719,"date":"2026-06-02T14:45:22","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T18:45:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/queonnda.com\/the-player-no-one-expected-tim-payne\/"},"modified":"2026-06-02T15:04:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T19:04:17","slug":"the-player-no-one-expected-tim-payne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/queonnda.com\/en\/the-player-no-one-expected-tim-payne\/","title":{"rendered":"The player no one expected: Tim Payne"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/a> preview thanks to a viral campaign born in Argentina that has mobilized millions of fans in support of him and the ‘All Whites’.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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From unknown to viral star in days<\/h2>\n
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View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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A post shared by Tim Payne (@timpayne__).<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n