All Whites defender Tim Payne has barely had a chance to catch his breath this past month.
The 32-year-old became a household name even before a ball had been kicked at the FIFA World Cup, becoming a social media sensation.
The All Whites' World Cup ended in the group stages after failing to secure the points required to advance.
After landing back in New Zealand for a whistlestop visit, Payne told Breakfast he's finally getting a chance to reflect on a crazy few weeks.
"The beautiful thing from this is that this has all shone a light, I guess, on my football capabilities and that I'm just so excited to tackle this challenge in Paraguay head-on."
Payne's transfer from the Wellington Phoenix to Paraguayan giants Olimpia means he'll barely get a break – the Paraguayan season is currently on hiatus for the World Cup until the end of the month.
He said the pain of a group stage exit and a thrashing at the hands of Belgium was still raw.
"It probably doesn't help that Belgium was the last game, but there's very much a disappointing factor.
"To be leading three different times at a World Cup and to only get a draw out of it, I think again, is disappointing.
"But I know there's a big sense, especially from the playing group - and I feel like I'm getting an understanding from the New Zealand public as well - that we went there and competed and played some football that we are proud of."
His assist for Finn Surman's goal against Egypt was a personal highlight.
"It was a truly a proud moment, to have my family there as well was exceptional.
"People like my mum and dad. My mum used to drive us hours everywhere and has given up so much for me - to have her there in the stands is pretty hard to sum up.
"It's again one of those things, it's nice, but the main thing is that it contributed to us potentially getting a result in the game."
He remains typically nonchalant, however.
"The individual stuff, it doesn't really bother me, I'd rather have won that game 1-0 and not got an assist."
Payne admits the sudden attention has come at a perfect time, when he's settled with his family and at an age where he feels more adept at handling the pressure that comes with it.
He's been inundated with prospective commercial partners since his online following exploded to nearly six million on Instagram.
"I wouldn't be able to put a number on it... There are lots," he said.
With the World Cup now in the rear-view mirror, Payne can now turn his attention to building off the back of a remarkable rise from relative obscurity.
Watch all matches at the World Cup with an event pass on TVNZ+
SHARE ME