Tim Payne, one of the most unexpected names to emerge from the start of the 2026 World Cup, is about to become a reinforcement for a South American giant. The defender from New Zealand, who went from being an unknown to a global phenomenon on social media, will continue his career at Olimpia de Paraguay once his national team's participation in the World Cup concludes.
While the official announcement is still pending, various international media outlets, such as Sky Sports, claim that the deal is already closed. Additionally, the Paraguayan club itself fueled speculation with a social media post that included a flexed arm and the New Zealand flag, a signal that many interpreted as a hint of the signing.
The 32-year-old right-back will arrive from Wellington Phoenix and will have the opportunity to compete in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana and the 2027 Copa Libertadores with the Paraguayan team. This move represents one of the most eye-catching transactions in the market, both for the player's current footballing status and for the media attention he has garnered in recent weeks.
Until the start of the World Cup, Payne had little notoriety outside of Oceania. However, a campaign led by Argentine influencer Valentín Scarsini, aimed at bringing visibility to the least-known player in the competition, completely changed his reality. In just a few days, his Instagram account went from having less than 5,000 followers to surpassing five million, making him one of the viral sensations of the tournament.
