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New Zealand defender Tim Payne’s signed Olimpia debut jersey has set off a fierce bidding contest, with offers climbing beyond $3,200 soon after it was put up for auction. After turning into a worldwide social media sensation during the 2026 World Cup, the 32-year-old full-back is continuing to enjoy an extraordinary spell of popularity with the Paraguayan giants.

Auction heats up over Payne shirt

The signed first-match shirt of New Zealand defender Payne has triggered intense competition among bidders, with offers going past $3,200 in an official online auction organised by Paraguayan powerhouse Olimpia. The experienced full-back signed a one-year contract in Asuncion in June, bringing an end to his seven-year spell with Wellington Phoenix. He made his debut on August 2 against Rubio Nu and immediately won over the home fans by scoring only minutes after coming off the bench in a commanding 5-0 win.

Shirt dedicated to Olimpistas

The defender’s dramatic rise in popularity began when Argentine influencer Valen Scarsini, also known as El Scarso, set out to find the “least-known” player at the 2026 World Cup and mobilised millions of followers behind Payne. The viral push sent his Instagram following soaring from fewer than 5,000 to more than 5.4 million in just a matter of days.

Speaking in an official club video to promote the auction of the historic debut shirt, Payne said: “I know exactly what it means to wear these stripes and play in this shirt, and that’s why I want to give it to a true Olimpista [Olimpia fan].”

From obscurity to stardom

Payne spent most of his playing career far from the main global football spotlight, including a two-year stint with Blackburn Rovers where work-permit issues stopped him from making a competitive appearance. Although the current bids are still well below the record $7.8 million paid for a set of Lionel Messi’s 2022 World Cup jerseys at Sotheby’s in December 2023, the striking demand for Payne’s shirt highlights an extraordinary rise for a player who was virtually unknown around the world only a few months ago.

Paraguayan chapter now under way

Olimpia and Payne are now fully focused on maintaining their momentum in domestic competition after their emphatic start to the campaign. The New Zealand international now faces the task of proving his technical quality on the pitch consistently every week, rather than simply benefiting from an internet-driven wave of attention. Adjusting smoothly to the physical demands and intensity of South American football will be crucial if he is to secure his place with the Asuncion heavyweights throughout the 2026-27 season.