All Whites defender gains over one million Instagram followers in one night

The right back, who plays club football for Wellington Phoenix in the A League, has attracted over one million Instagram followers in only two days, making him the most followed football account in New Zealand.

On Wednesday, Payne had only 4,000 followers until social media influencer Valen Scarsini, known online as 'elscarso', launched a campaign to promote the World Cup's least followed footballer.

"I examined all teams participating in the World Cup to find the least known player and, after analysing each one, I discovered him," Scarsini said on Wednesday.

"In group G, from New Zealand, there is Tim Payne. He is truly the least known. His follower count does not reach 5000."

Scarsini urged people to "flood his posts with likes and comments" so that Payne would become a household name.

Two days later, Payne now has over 1 million Instagram followers, prompting a rare post from him while he is at a pre World Cup training camp in Florida.

Payne began by speaking in Spanish, thanking fans for their support.

"Please forgive my Spanish, I am still practising with Duolingo," he said on Friday, before switching to English.

"I just want to say a huge thank you first to you, Valen, it has been a pretty crazy 48 hours to say the least.

"I also want to express how grateful I am to represent my country at this World Cup, and I value all the affection from around the world. Muchas gracias."

Payne now has more followers than the New Zealand All Whites, who have yet to reach 45,000, and his national team captain, Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood, who has 162,000 followers.

New Zealand face Iran, Egypt and Belgium in their World Cup group, and are aiming to win their first World Cup match on their third attempt.