Kiwi social media star Tim Payne secures big club move; South Africa coach’s ‘only the grass is football’ dig — World Cup Daily

The social media sensation of this World Cup has confirmed a move away from the A-League.

New Zealand’s Tim Payne became one of the world’s most beloved players before a ball had even been kicked this World Cup after blowing up overnight on social media.

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Argentinian influencer Valen Scarsini set a challenge to his 456,000 Instagram followers before the tournament.

His mission was make the World Cup’s least followed player become a social media superstar.

Payne was that man.

The Kiwi defender’s Instagram following rocketed from 5,000 to 5.8 million in the matter of days.

After starting in New Zealand’s 2-2 draw with Iran, Payne will now be taking his talents to South America.

The former Wellington Phoenix player has joined Paraguay’s most successful team – Club Olimpia.

“He arrives in his prime from Wellington Phoenix in his home country, is 32 years old and stands out for his athletic prowess, his solidity in marking and his ability to project himself down the right wing,” the 48-time APF Division de Honor champions’ statement read.

“After the World Cup, he will wear the Black Stripe and will be available to Professor Pablo Sánchez for the competitions of the second half of the year: Clausura Tournament, Paraguay Cup and CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026.”

Payne spent seven years with A-League outfit the Phoenix.

He bidded an emotional farewell to the Wellington faithful on social media.

“This wasn’t an easy decision,” Payne said. “To the fans, my teammates and all those who have supported me throughout my career, the highs and the lows, thank you.

“Without you I would not be here representing my country at the World Cup – the very pinnacle of the sport.

“I’ve always pushed myself to be the best footballer I can be. The opportunity to test myself at the very top of South American football in the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana is one of the most incredible opportunities I could have asked for as a professional.

“Club Olimpia is one of the biggest clubs in South America, with an incredible history, passionate supporters and ambitions that match its stature, and I am looking forward to rising to that challenge.

“For our family, this is something really special. My son, growing up speaking Spanish like his mum did, immersing ourselves in her culture and her family’s world is what makes this so much more than just a football move.

“Opportunities like this don’t come around often, and we’re not taking it for granted.

“I’m grateful for everything Wellington Phoenix has given me and I’m excited for the challenge ahead, but right now, my focus is on representing my country at the World Cup.”

‘ONLY THE GRASS IS FOOTBALL’

South Africa coach Hugo Broos said “only the grass” resembled a football stadium after a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic in Atlanta kept Bafana Bafana’s chances of World Cup progress alive.

Under the closed roof of the state-of-the-art home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and MLS side Atlanta United, the Czech Republic took an early lead through Michal Sadilek.

But South Africa’s persistence in the search for an equaliser paid off when Teboho Mokoena converted an 83rd minute penalty after Pavel Sulc handled inside his own box.

In contrast to the futuristic Atlanta Stadium, South Africa began the World Cup with a 2-0 defeat to co-hosts Mexico in the historic Estadio Azteca.

“If I can be very honest, this is not a football stadium. It’s a nice stadium, fantastic stadium, everything you want. But only the grass is football. All the rest is not,” Broos, 74, told his post-match press conference.

“It’s a covered stadium. I like to play in an open stadium. I don’t feel really the atmosphere in such a stadium. When you compare it with Azteca, for example, that is a football stadium!

“These stadiums are fantastic stadiums for the crowd. I think they see everything in that stadium. There are no places that are covered or whatever. But, again, I rather like a real football stadium.”

The Belgian, who was in the Belgian squad that reached the 1986 World Cup semi-finals, was also left irked by lengthy drinks breaks at the midway point of each half despite the climate controlled conditions.

“I think it’s very, very useful when it’s hot,” he added. “But in other cases, the rhythm of the game is lost.

“When at that moment you are the best team and you dominate, suddenly your domination is blocked for five minutes or I don’t know how long...in that stadium, we don’t need to drink after 20 minutes.” Now in their fourth World Cup, South Africa have never previously progressed beyond the group stages.

Victory in their final Group A match against South Korea will likely secure qualification for the last 32, at least as one of the best third-placed teams, if they can secure just a second World Cup win on foreign soil.

“If we can make another performance like today, I think we have a chance to go in the second round,” added Broos.

“I’m very proud of my team, and this is the real Bafana Bafana.”

ENGLAND BOSS CALLS OUT PHOTOGRAPHER ACT

Thomas Tuchel said a “special moment was ruined” and FIFA have now reportedly acted to the England coach being swarmed by photographers during the national anthems ahead of the World Cup clash with Croatia.

The German, managing at a World Cup for the first time, was delighted after seeing his side win 4-2 on Wednesday in Texas in their opening match.

But he was less happy about the massed ranks of photographers snapping him from close range beforehand at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium.

“I am begging FIFA to change the position of the photographers for the national anthem because I could not see my team in the national anthem,” he said.

“I was waiting for this moment, it was a very, very special moment today and I was standing in front of a wall of 50 photographers half a metre away.

“I could not see one single player and it ruined a little bit my experience today.”

FIFA has now tweaked its guidelines, the BBC and The Athletic reported, to avoid a repeat at the tournament in North America.

The Athletic said that coaches will have the option to stand to the left or right of the photographers during the pre-match ceremony.

Photographers will be grouped closer to the halfway line for “affected games” as part of a compromise, the BBC said.

Football’s governing body FIFA did not immediately reply to an AFP request for comment.

MESSI FAMILY ‘HEALTH ISSUE’

Lionel Messi’s father is recovering from an unspecified “health issue”, the Argentina star’s family said Thursday, appealing for privacy after a flurry of recent media reports.

Speculation over the health of 68-year-old Jorge Messi has intensified after Argentina skipper Messi broke down in tears after scoring the first of his three goals in a 3-0 World Cup victory over Algeria on Tuesday.

“(Jorge Messi) is currently under medical supervision, recovering and progressing favourably given his condition,” Messi’s family said in a statement on Thursday, without giving details of the illness.

Messi alluded to his personal situation on Tuesday about his emotional response to his goal against Algeria.

“It was a matter unrelated to sports. I went through some difficult and complicated days,” the Argentine star told reporters.

Jorge Messi serves as his son’s agent and is one of his key sources of support. He has accompanied him throughout his career at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and now Inter Miami, as well as during his international career with Argentina.

In the statement, Messi’s family registered its “deep distress regarding the lack of sensitivity, respect, and scruples with which some people have treated a strictly private family matter”.

“We ask for responsibility, prudence, and humanity. A person’s health and the peace of mind of those around them should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media attention,” the statement said.

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