STATUS SHIFT

For years, the football world operated under the assumption that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were the gravitational centre of attention, pulling the lions’ share of headlines into their orbit.

That theory was challenged this week after both icons were seen quietly circulating a World Cup promo event that was described as “clear proximity-seeking behaviour” around New Zealand defender Tim Payne..

Payne, whose social media following has exploded thanks to an Argentine influencer’s campaign, arrived at a World Cup event to find the two football legends seemingly waiting nearby.

Witnesses say Ronaldo repeatedly positioned himself in the background of photos Payne was taking with fans.

Messi reportedly employed a more subtle strategy, standing close enough to Payne that followers scrolling Instagram might spot him.

Speaking to reporters, Ronaldo denied he was chasing clout.

“Look, Tim is obviously having a moment,” he explained.

“I’m not saying I’d like a collaboration or maybe a tagged post, but if he wanted to do something together I’d certainly be open to discussing it.”

Messi also played down suggestions he was trying to ride Payne’s wave of popularity.

“I’ve achieved a few things in football,” he said.

“But when somebody has over three million followers appear overnight, you pay attention. That’s the sort of growth people dream about.” said the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

For his part, Payne, in classic kiwi fashion saw the two megastars, turned to a team mate and said “do you see who that is?” but was then too shy to approach either of them. 

More to come.

The post Messi And Ronaldo Spotted Hovering Around Tim Payne For Clout appeared first on The Whakataki Times.

NO PAYNE NO GAIN

After accidentally becoming the most famous footballer in the country and possibly world overnight, All Whites defender Tim Payne is reportedly now under “crippling international pressure” to continue posting Instagram content despite previously only using the app to upload the odd photo of him playing for the Wellington Phoenix and All Whites.

Payne has exploded from 4,700 followers to over one million in just 48 hours after Argentine influencer El Scarso launched a campaign encouraging football fans to make Payne the “hero” of the FIFA World Cup due to him having the smallest social media following at the tournament.

Payne’s account has now allegedly spiralled into a non-stop content production nightmare.

“People are expecting daily Instagram stories and reels. But gee, I’ve never posted an Insta story and only posted the odd pic of me playing for the Phoenix,” Payne explained, as 50,000 more followers instantly rolled in.

The fullback now has the biggest social media following of any New Zealand football-related account, dwarfing even All Whites captain Chris Wood, who has a comparatively humiliating 162,000 followers.

Meanwhile, the official All Whites, Wellington Phoenix, and Auckland FC accounts are reportedly considering posting thirst traps to stay relevant.

Payne is now apparently frantically filming “a day in the life of Tim Payne” to keep his followers interested and many wannabe influencers and creators are absolutely spewing at his sudden stardom.

More to come

The post Tim Payne Now Feeling Immense Global Pressure To Post More Content appeared first on The Whakataki Times.