Tim Payne

Good morning 🙏 Heard Vozinha just overtook me on Instagram 😂 Fair play to him! Despite the draw yesterday, I'm very focused on the next match! Both me and the whole team! Not the result we wanted but we showed character and got something from the game 👍

First World Cup game done. Iran was a proper battle but we showed fight and got the draw. Thanks to everyone who supported us tonight The love is unreal ❤️

Today’s the day. First game of the World Cup against Iran 🇮🇷 The support has been insane and I’m just focused on giving everything for the team No Payne, no gain!

2 days to go until New Zealand 🇳🇿 vs Iran 🇮🇷 The support from everywhere is still blowing my mind! The hype is getting real and I’m just focused on doing my job for the team Can’t wait to get out there 🔥

Today the World Cup begins. First match live. Feeling pumped for what’s coming Grateful for all the support and ready to give everything when it’s our turn This is what we’ve been working for 🏆

Just saw the EA FC 26 stuff with my name and 5.5M followers. Crazy how fast things move From 4k followers to promo card in EA FC 26 in like two weeks. The fans have carried this whole thing Massive love to everyone jumping on the ride ♥️

Still wild to think I went from a quiet defender to one of the biggest talking points heading into the World Cup. The support from everywhere has been unreal Now it’s time to focus on the pitch and give everything for the team. Grateful every day ❤️ Countdown is real 6 days until our World Cup opener. Iran first up in LA The lads are buzzing and we’re using every day to prepare.

From 4-0 against Haiti to a much tighter 1-0 against England. Clear progress in just a few days. The lads worked hard and we’re building momentum Onto the World Cup with confidence and lessons learned 💪

Thanks to everyone who watched the game against England tonight. Your support means a lot. We gave it everything and came up just short. Onto the next one and the World Cup Appreciate you all ❤️

🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗪: This is the story you want to be reading today, as Tim Payne is coming on for New Zealand. This is the man who went from 5k followers to 5 million followers within a few days after an Argentine football influencer (Valen Scarsini) started a campaign to make the "least-known player at the World Cup" famous, and they picked out Tim Payne! Within days, millions of people started following him with the mission of making him the MOST FAMOUS World Cup footballer in the world. And now here he is smiling, with the entire stadium celebrating him coming on and with even the 4th official recognizing him. FOOTBALL! ❤️

England are coming at us hard but the boys are standing up to it. This is exactly the kind of test we wanted before the World Cup

@F14tomcat1504 I'm the account manager, friend 😀

@timpayne_x Sos un capo Estas jugando contra Inglaterra y me likeaste Ni se como hiciste Espero que pasen de grupo y superen en la clasificación final a los Aussies

Seeing official watch parties and fan events popping up everywhere for the World Cup is class. Whether you’re in New Zealand or overseas, the support is building nicely. Can’t wait to feel that energy thank you to everyone making it happen and showing up ❤️

First half against England and we’re holding our own. They’ve got most of the ball but we’re organised and not giving much away Proud of the lads for the effort so far Keep going boys 💪

Coach Bazeley said I’ve stayed grounded through all the noise. Means a lot coming from him. Fame is cool but the football and the team always come first Staying focused on what actually matters that’s the plan 🧠

First session in Tampa done. The heat is next level but we’re getting the work in and sharpening up. England friendly tomorrow is the last proper test before the big stage. The lads are switched on and ready to go 💪

People keep calling us the ultimate underdog story and it’s pretty cool to see. I’m just focused on doing my job for the team and soaking up every second with the boys If it brings more love to New Zealand football, that’s a massive bonus. Grateful for every bit of this ride ✨

At 32 I’m one of the older heads in the squad and I’m loving helping the younger lads settle in and sharing little bits of experience Their hunger is infectious 🔥

My missus has been flat out translating all the messages from Spanish-speaking fans. She’s from Costa Rica and getting a real kick out of it. Seeing how this connected us with so many new people around the world makes the whole thing even more special 🙏

Group G locked in: Iran on the 15th, Egypt on the 21st and Belgium on the 26th Tough group but we’re up for it. Been watching the other teams and we know what we’re walking into 7 days left for the World Cup