New Zealand defender Tim Payne has become an unexpected social media sensation as he gears up for the World Cup. Payne’s Instagram following surged from 4,715 to 4.2 million after Argentine influencer Valen Scarsini, known as ‘elscarso’, encouraged his followers to support the Wellington Phoenix player, dubbing him the least-known participant in the tournament.

Coach and Team Reaction

New Zealand’s coach, Darren Bazeley, expressed his surprise at the rapid growth of Payne’s online presence. Despite not fully understanding the dynamics of social media, Bazeley praised Payne for handling the newfound attention with composure. ‘I think Tim’s dealing with it really well,’ Bazeley said during a press briefing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. ‘He knows why he’s here and what he wants to achieve.’

Payne’s teammates have also shown support, with midfielder Marko Stamenic noting the power of social media and expressing confidence that Payne remains focused on the team’s objectives. ‘He’s fully focused on what task we have here,’ Stamenic stated.

Impact and Future Plans

Payne’s Instagram account now boasts more followers than many prominent New Zealand athletes, including cricketer Kane Williamson and the All Blacks rugby team. Payne expressed his gratitude in a video message, thanking Scarsini in Spanish and acknowledging the whirlwind of the past few days.

Scarsini plans to travel to Florida to watch New Zealand’s warm-up match against Haiti and meet Payne in person. This unique intersection of sports and social media highlights the unpredictable nature of online fame and its potential impact on athletes.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.