New Zealand player meets influencer behind sudden viral fame and millions of new followers
New Zealand footballer Tim Payne met the influencer behind his stunning viral fame on Wednesday, presenting him with a team shirt after gaining almost five million Instagram followers in a week.
Argentine social media giant Valen Scarsini, known as "El Scarso", last week asked his fans to boost unheralded Payne's following, calling him the "least known" player at the World Cup.
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It kicked off an online explosion of interest with Payne going from 4,000 followers to 4.9 million in a few days.
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."
The most anticipated linkup of the World Cup so far 🇳🇿🤝🇦🇷
Tim Payne meets Valen Scarsini, the creator behind Payne’s rise to global stardom ✨ pic.twitter.com/zSPFUW0dvj — New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 3, 2026
Scarsini was asked, "Why me man?" by the defender who plays for Wellington Phoenix.
"Fly to Argentina!" Scarsini told him.
Payne's Instagram account now has more followers than the rugby-obsessed country's All Blacks team, who have a mere 2.8 million.
Scarsini travelled to Florida to watch Payne and New Zealand in a pre-World Cup friendly at Inter Miami's stadium on Tuesday, where they were beaten 4-0 by fellow World Cup qualifiers Haiti.
New Zealand play England on Saturday in their final friendly before the World Cup begins.
They will face Iran, Egypt and Belgium in World Cup group G.
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