The road to the 2026 World Cup has already delivered its first miracle, and it didn’t even happen on the pitch. New Zealand defender Tim Payne has seen his social media presence explode overnight, skyrocketing from a mere 4,000 followers to becoming the country’s most followed soccer player in just 48 hours.
This unprecedented viral phenomenon was sparked by popular influencer Valen, known online as “elscarso.” Looking to create a unique challenge ahead of the tournament, the content creator decided to search for the ultimate underdog. “I looked at all the teams that play the World Cup for the least-known player and, after analyzing one by one, I found it,” Valen explained. Discovering that Payne, whose national team is placed in Group G, had fewer than 5,000 followers, the influencer rallied his massive fanbase to flood Payne’s profile with likes, comments, and follows.
The internet responded with absolute force. Currently based in Florida preparing for the World Cup, a stunned Payne took to Instagram to express his gratitude to his millions of new global fans. “Please excuse my Spanish, I’m still practising on Duolingo,” Payne started his message in an Instagram video in Spanish, showcasing his humor. He continued in English: “Just wanna say a massive thank you, first to you, Valen. It’s been a pretty crazy 48 hours, to say the least.”
Payne’s digital stardom has completely shattered records, effortlessly eclipsing the New Zealand national team’s official account and team captain Chris Wood’s 162,000 followers. At the time of this publication, Payne’s Instagram page has officially crossed a staggering 5.1 million followers—turning an obscure defender into a global icon before the first whistle even blows.
You can watch the incredible moment Valen and Tim finally met.
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