Florida, United States – Web Desk: New Zealand footballer Tim Payne met for the first time the Argentine social media influencer credited with driving his sudden surge in global popularity.
Argentine content creator Valentin Scarsini, known online as “El Scarsso,” had earlier urged his followers to support and follow Payne during the FIFA World Cup, sparking a viral social media campaign.
Following the viral push, Payne’s Instagram following reportedly jumped from around 4,000 to 4.9 million within just a few days, drawing widespread attention to the relatively lesser-known player.
The two met at New Zealand’s training camp in Florida, where Payne thanked Scarsini and presented him with a national team jersey.
Payne said the unexpected rise in attention has benefited both him and New Zealand football, giving the sport greater international visibility. However, he added that he remains focused on his performance and will not change his personality due to newfound fame.
Scarsini also humorously invited Payne to visit Argentina, highlighting the light-hearted nature of their viral connection.
