Remember him? Social media hit, Tim Payne debuts with a stunner in

He wasn’t as big a hit as Vozinha on Instagram.

But New Zealand defender Tim Payne became a “celebrity” even before the Cape Verde goalkeeper and made his debut with a goal for Paraguay’s Olimpia last Sunday (2).

Argentine influencer Valen Scarsini noticed that Payne was the player featured in the World Cup album who was “least liked” on that social network. 

Then came a campaign, and his 4,700 followers turned into 5.5 million — more than New Zealand’s entire population — before the World Cup had even started.

Payne drew attention and secured a surprising move to Olimpia — who will face Vasco in the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 — before the tournament began. 

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He started all three matches for his national team at the World Cup and even provided an assist. 

His move to Olimpia was completed, and his debut came from the 69th minute of the match against Rubio Ñu in the local league.

Not only did he make his debut, but he also sealed the score in the three-time Libertadores champion’s rout in the 85th minute with this beautiful goal: 

Remember him? Social media hit, Tim

The move to Olimpia was also influenced by family matters.

His wife, Michelle Peters, has Costa Rican roots. And the couple wanted their one-and-a-half-year-old son, Brooklyn, to grow up in a Latin American country.

Payne was signed by Blackburn at 18, but he was unable to obtain the visa needed to stay in England.

He also had a spell with the Portland Timbers in MLS before returning to New Zealand football.

He spent seven seasons with Wellington Phoenix alone before heading to Paraguayan football. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.