Payne’s unlikely rise to fame has been one of the most unexpected stories surrounding the 2026 World Cup. Before the tournament, the 32-year-old had just a few thousand Instagram followers and had spent most of his career playing away from the spotlight in New Zealand and Australia.

That changed when Argentine football influencer Valen Scarsini, known online as El Scarso, searched for what he called the “least-known” player at the World Cup. After discovering Payne, Scarsini encouraged his millions of followers to support the New Zealander.

The result was spectacular. Payne’s Instagram following skyrocketed from fewer than 5,000 followers to more than 5.4 million, turning him into a global social media sensation almost overnight.

His newfound popularity eventually helped open the door to South America. In June, Payne signed a one-year contract with Olimpia, ending his seven-year spell with Wellington Phoenix.

He then gave his new supporters another reason to celebrate during his Olimpia debut on August 2 against Rubio Ñu. Coming off the bench, Payne scored just minutes after entering the game, helping his new team secure a dominant 5-0 victory.

Now, the jersey he wore that night has become a collector’s item. Signed by Payne, the shirt has attracted thousands of dollars in bids, an extraordinary development for a player who was virtually unknown outside New Zealand only months ago.

Payne himself helped promote the auction, explaining that he understands the significance of wearing Olimpia’s famous colors and hopes the shirt ends up with a genuine fan of the historic Paraguayan club.

Random fact: Payne spent two years with Blackburn Rovers but never made an official appearance for the English club because of work-permit issues.

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