5 million followers: Payne is New Zealand’s new social media star

That fit Valen Scarsini not. The Argentine is an influencer in his home country; around two million people follow him on the same platform, YouTube and TikTok. With his impetus to draw attention to Payne, Scarsini set off a real wave. The social media star is now reporting intensively about the defender.

Payne achieves cult status

Payne currently maintains on Instagram 5.7 million followers and thus reaches more people than New Zealand has inhabitants (5.3 million). But simply “following” isn’t enough for people: the neo-superstar received his own song and was immortalized on a fan’s skin with a picture and the words “No Payne, No Gain.” Another Payne-style fried food. Also Fan shirts and action figures there is now.

Scarsini and Payne have already met. The 32-year-old thanked the Argentine several times and said he didn’t know what to “feel” amid the hype. For the All Whites defender, “it’s all foreign. I’m still processing it, but it’s great.”

In his own statement, the 52-time international thanked his new fans, saying: “From nothing planned to millions of followers. That’s more than the population of New Zealand. I just want to thank everyone.”

“I think it’s great”

What is the reaction within the team? The 90-time national player and captain Chris Woodis thrilled by the attention. “I think it’s great,” emphasizes the 34-year-old.

Trainer Darren Bazeley Doesn’t affect the hype surrounding Payne, says: “I’m not in that social media world.” But: “Publicity is publicity. Our job is to carry on and perform.”

For New Zealand, the World Cup starts on the night of Monday to Tuesday at 3:00 a.m. (CEST/Hello TV) in Los Angeles. Group G is the opening opponent Iran.