Tim Payne's debut jersey sparks multi-million guarani auction in Paraguay
A shirt worn by New Zealand defender Tim Payne in his first match for Club Olimpia is attracting bids exceeding 21 million guaraní.
Club Olimpia put the match-worn shirt of Tim Payne, the New Zealand defender who debuted for the Paraguayan side, up for auction online, and bids have topped 21 million guaraní, about $3,270. Payne, previously a low-profile player in New Zealand, Australia and a stint at Blackburn Rovers, became a social-media sensation after Argentine influencer Valen Scarsini promoted him during the World Cup, boosting his Instagram followers to over 5.4 million.
He signed a one-year deal with Olimpia in June after leaving Wellington Phoenix. In his first appearance on Aug. 2, he entered as a substitute and scored, contributing to a 5-0 victory over Rubio Ñu. The auction, launched by Payne in a video, aims to find a dedicated Olimpia fan to receive the jersey. While the bidding is notable, it remains modest compared with the multi-million-dollar sales of jerseys worn by global icons such as Lionel Messi.
Why it matters
It shows how social media can turn an obscure player into a marketable figure, influencing sports memorabilia values.
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