New Zealand defender Tim Payne has become an unlikely social media star after an Argentinian influencer identified him as the least-known player at the upcoming World Cup and urged followers to make him a 'hero'.
Payne, 32, had around 4,700 Instagram followers earlier this week. After being singled out by the influencer, known as El Scarso, that number soared at a rate of nearly 1,000 per minute, surpassing one million by Friday.
El Scarso, whose real name is Valen Scarsini, said: 'I searched through all the national teams playing in the World Cup for the least known one... In group G, in New Zealand, there is Tim Payne. He really is the least known. He doesn't even have 5,000 followers.' He urged his 500,000 followers to 'start mentioning Tim Payne everywhere'.
A song supporting Payne has emerged, with the chorus in Spanish including the lines 'Tim Payne, from cradle to grave. You're a crack.' Payne responded on Instagram, thanking the influencer and saying: 'It's been a pretty crazy 48 hours... I appreciate all the love from all around the world.'
Payne, who plays for the Wellington Phoenix in the A-League, recently made his 50th appearance for New Zealand. The All Whites are in Group G with Belgium, Iran and Egypt, aiming for their first ever World Cup win.
