Tim Payne's debut Olimpia shirt sparks high-stakes auction

The jersey worn by New Zealand defender Tim Payne during his first match for Paraguayan club Olimpia has become a major collector's item. As the auction nears its close, the top bid for the shirt, which is signed by the player himself, has surpassed 21 million Paraguayan guaranies—approximately 3,270 US dollars.

Payne's sudden rise to fame was fueled by the "least-known footballer" phenomenon during the World Cup, spearheaded by Argentine influencer El Scarso. The campaign saw Payne's social media following explode from a few thousand to over 5.4 million. This surge in popularity translated to the pitch when he debuted for Olimpia on August 2 against Rubio Ñu, scoring a goal shortly after entering as a substitute.

I know exactly what it means to wear these stripes and play in this shirt, and that is why I want to give it to a true Olimpista. Tim Payne

The 32-year-old defender, who joined Olimpia in June after seven years with Wellington Phoenix, expressed that he wanted the memorabilia to go to a genuine supporter of the club. With the auction scheduled to conclude this Thursday, the final price could climb even higher as collectors vie for the unique piece of history.