Tim Payne meets influencer Valen Scarsini after social media boost
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 5, 2026, 12:54 AM
Last updated Jun 5, 2026
Tim Payne, the New Zealand soccer defender, met Argentine influencer Valen Scarsini on June 5, 2026, in Boca Raton after Scarsini's social media campaign helped raise Payne's followers from under 5,000 to over 5 million. Scarsini referred to Payne as the 'least-known' player at the upcoming World Cup. The two connected after Payne's New Zealand team lost 4-0 to Haiti in a friendly match the previous night. Payne expressed gratitude to Scarsini for the surge in popularity, which he acknowledged as a positive for New Zealand football. New Zealand will begin its World Cup journey against Iran on June 15 in Inglewood, California.
- •Tim Payne's social media following surged to over 5 million.
- •Payne thanked Valen Scarsini for the boost in popularity.
- •New Zealand lost 4-0 to Haiti in a friendly match.
- •New Zealand opens World Cup play against Iran on June 15.
- •Scarsini referred to Payne as the 'least-known' player at the World Cup.
- 12:54 AMYahoo Sports — Viral New Zealand soccer star meets Argentine social media influencer who boosted following to 5M
"Tim Payne couldn't wait to give Valen Scarsini a big hug and tell him thanks a million. New social media followers, that is. The New Zealand defender met the influencer and content creator from Argentina on Wednesday after Scarsini — known as “El Scarso” — asked his fans last week to help kick up support for the soccer standout while calling him the “least-known” player at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico based on his small social media following.
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