Tim Payne’s fame began as an internet joke. Now his shirt has sparked a bidding war

As a minor internet sensation, Tim Payne found himself the subject of a bidding war over his debut shirt for Paraguayan soccer powerhouse Club Olimpia. Just a few months ago, few outside New Zealand would have recognized his name, but now his jersey has become a sought-after item. The shirt, worn during Payne's World Cup debut, has been up for auction online since five days after Olimpia put it up for sale. With the bidding deadline approaching, the leading offer has surpassed 21 million guarani (approximately $3,270 USD).

Before making his mark on the international stage, Payne's career was relatively unknown. He spent his early years playing for smaller clubs in New Zealand and Australia, and a stint with England's Blackburn Rovers didn't yield many opportunities due to work permit issues. Argentine influencer Valen Scarsini discovered Payne through his modest Instagram following of 4,715 and enlisted his fans to help catapult his fame.

Within days, Payne's follower count exploded, reaching over 5.4 million by the time he signed with Olimpia in June.

Payne's rapid rise to prominence coincided with his debut for Olimpia against Rubio Ñu on August 2nd, where he scored a goal just minutes after coming on as a substitute. This performance garnered worldwide attention and helped him gain a massive social media following. Now, the signed jersey from that memorable match is capturing the interest of collectors and fans alike, despite not commanding the astronomical prices commanded by stars like Lionel Messi.

Payne expressed his intention to donate the shirt to a true Olimpista fan during the auction's launch video.