Tim Payne marked his Olimpia debut with a spectacular goal on Sunday, adding another chapter to the unexpected popularity that helped take the New Zealand defender to the Paraguayan club after the 2026 World Cup.
Payne was not among the tournament’s leading players, while New Zealand left the World Cup without a group-stage victory. His profile still grew dramatically after Argentine soccer influencer Valen Scarsini posted a pre-tournament video suggesting that Payne might be the least-known player in the competition. The 32-year-old now has 5.4 million Instagram followers.
Olimpia introduced Payne in the 69th minute against Rubio Ñú with the team already leading 3–0. It was his first competitive appearance since New Zealand’s group-stage defeat to Belgium.
The goal was the 13th of Payne’s 289-game professional career. He had not scored since Oct. 26, 2024, when he found the net for A-League’s Wellington Phoenix during a 2–0 victory over Perth Glory.
Olimpia’s win lifted the club to seventh in the Paraguayan Clausura. The move also added CONMEBOL to Payne’s wide-ranging career, which has included time in the OFC with clubs in New Zealand, Concacaf with the Portland Timbers’ reserve squad and UEFA during a brief spell at Blackburn Rovers.
Olimpia is the latest team in a career that has taken Payne through several parts of the soccer world. After beginning brightly with his new club, he also has New Zealand’s next international assignment ahead: a two-game friendly series in India.