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.
As a football fan, I was very lucky to be able to watch the beautiful play of these two great actors. Now that Ronaldo and Messi are in the final stages of their careers, perhaps the 2022 World Cup will be their last stage in this most prestigious event.
Unfortunately, these two great players both failed to lead their country to win the World Cup trophy, I doubt they can be successful in this World Cup, because apart from their old age, the quality of other players in their squad is also less supportive.
Ronaldo and Messi will always be remembered as great players, after they retired nothing changed from football. It's just that we can't watch live amazing actions from them, but there will be other players who can provide new entertainment for their fans with extraordinary actions on the field.