The Times of India

Who is Tim Payne? The 'least-known' World Cup player who gained almost 1 million followers overnight

New Zealand defender Tim Payne has become an unexpected viral sensation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Argentine influencer Valen Scarsini launched a campaign branding him the tournaments protagonist. The push has driven Paynes social media following into the hundreds of thousands, sparked fan chants based on Argentinas Muchachos, and turned the low-profile defender into a global online talking point.