Viral sensation Tim Payne joins Olimpia after World Cup
New Zealand defender Tim Payne, who became a viral sensation during the 2026 World Cup, has signed with Club Olimpia of Paraguay. After a tournament where his team, the All Whites, only managed one point (1W-1D-3L), Payne now aims to revive his career in South American football. His last match with Paraguay was a 4-1 loss to the USA on June 13, 2026.
How did Payne become a viral phenomenon?
Before the World Cup, content creator Valen Scarsini (El Scarso) launched a campaign to turn Payne, the least-known player on the team, into a celebrity. In less than two weeks, he went from 4,700 to nearly 6 million followers. This media boost earned him a contract with Paraguayan champions Olimpia for a year and a half, with an option to extend for another 12 months.
What does Payne expect at Olimpia?
Payne will debut on July 24 in the Clausura tournament and will also compete in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana. Despite his modest performance at the World Cup (3 games, 227 minutes, 1 assist), his arrival in Asunción marks a new chapter in his career. At 32, with experience in the A-League (145 games, 4 goals), he seeks to adapt to the demanding Paraguayan football.
Statistics and challenges
Internationally, Payne has 55 caps and 3 goals for New Zealand. At the World Cup, his team conceded 10 goals in three matches. Now at Olimpia, he faces the challenge of proving his worth in a team aiming to maintain dominance in Paraguay’s top division.
