Thanks millions! 'Least known' World Cup footballer meets influencer behind viral fame
Tim Payne is a New Zealand World Cup footballer with 5,6-million Instagram followers, but only a few weeks ago, no one knew who he was.
New Zealand footballer Tim Payne met the influencer behind his stunning viral fame on Wednesday, 3 June, and presented him with a team shirt after gaining almost 5-million Instagram followers in a week.
Argentine social media giant Valen Scarsini, known as 'El Scarso', asked his fans to boost unheralded Payne's following, calling him the "least known" player at the World Cup.
It sparked an online explosion of interest, with Payne going from 4,000 followers to 4.9 million in a few days.
Payne's Instagram account now has more followers than the rugby-obsessed country's All Blacks team, who have a mere 2,8-million.
The two met for the first time at New Zealand's training camp in Florida, with Payne thanking Scarsini for his support.
"It's obviously good for myself and New Zealand football too," Payne said. "It puts a light on us which is a positive thing but at the same time, for me, I don't change. I'm still the person I am, so I just keep trying to do what I do, which is play football and focus on trying to perform for my country."
Scarsini was asked, "Why me, man?" by the defender who plays for Wellington Phoenix.
"Fly to Argentina!" Scarsini told him.
Scarsini travelled to Florida to watch Payne and New Zealand in a pre-World Cup friendly at Inter Miami's stadium, where they were beaten 4-0 by fellow World Cup qualifiers Haiti.
New Zealand will face Iran, Egypt and Belgium in Group G of the World Cup.
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Image: El Scarso/Instagram