Tim Payne’s fame began as an internet joke. Now his shirt has sparked a bidding war
Summary
Tim Payne, a New Zealand soccer player, became famous online after the World Cup and recently joined Paraguayan club Olimpia. The jersey he wore in his debut match for Olimpia is now being sold at auction, with bids reaching over $3,200.Key Facts
- Tim Payne played for New Zealand at the World Cup and gained millions of followers on social media.
- Before the World Cup, he was mostly unknown, with fewer than 5,000 Instagram followers.
- Argentine influencer Valen Scarsini promoted Payne as the World Cup’s "least-known soccer player,” boosting his fame quickly.
- Payne signed a one-year contract with Club Olimpia in Paraguay in June 2026.
- He scored a goal shortly after entering the field during his debut match for Olimpia on August 2, 2026.
- Olimpia put the signed jersey from that debut match up for auction online.
- The highest bid so far is more than 21 million Paraguayan guarani, about $3,270.
- Payne wants the jersey to go to a true fan of Olimpia.
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