New Zealand footballer Tim Payne gains millions online
PUBLISHED Jun 2, 2026, 12:17 PM ET
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New Zealand defender Tim Payne has seen his Instagram following surge from about 4,700 to more than 4 million within a week, after Argentine influencer Valen Scarsini, known as "El Scarso," highlighted him as the "least known" player set to compete at the upcoming World Cup. Scarsini urged his audience to follow and interact with Payne’s account, triggering rapid, global growth that now surpasses the social media reach of major New Zealand public figures, including the All Blacks rugby team. Payne responded with a Spanish-language thank-you video and described the experience as "pretty crazy." Scarsini plans to meet Payne in Florida at New Zealand’s warm-up match against Haiti.
By Daniel Hayes | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- One week ago, Payne had 4,715 followers
- Recently, influencer Scarsini highlights Payne online
- Following day, Scarsini urges followers to engage
- Within days, Payne's Instagram numbers surge
- Tuesday, Payne surpasses 4 million followers
- This week, fans compare Payne to legends
- Soon, Scarsini travels to Florida warm-up
- Upcoming match, planned meeting with Payne
News Intelligence
- This story is a testament to the power of social media. It shows how quickly an individual's online presence can explode, even if they're not a household name. If you're trying to grow your own online following, take note of how engagement from a key influencer can make a huge difference.
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