I wondering how much the difference of the fans when Messi and Ronaldo already retired, I think it does have a big difference. Many fans only watch a club when their favorite player play, although not at all.
Ramos, Suarez, Cavani, Modric, and Benzema also a top players, but they're doesn't have enough popularity than Messi and Ronaldo, so I believe whether they're retire or not, it wouldn't make a change.
We're already on regeneration session where most clubs are looking for 20-25 years old players.
After Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo retired from football I don't know what new player become their list favorite, I am not really fans with player but exactly with club only, I watch football with my favorite club not watching about who play there. Not really care about Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo have retired from football later I keep watch my favorite team.
Ramos, Suarez, Cavani, Modric, and Benzema also a top players, but they're doesn't have enough popularity than Messi and Ronaldo, so I believe whether they're retire or not, it wouldn't make a change.
I think with all them less popularity than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, I don't see have any young player like Mbappe and Haaland have popularity with their fans, but football keep running although Messi and Ronaldo have been retired.