Many players reps in fact decrease from what they were at the time they were playing. Examples are Platini, Rummenigge, Socrates, Baggio etc. The first 2 were comsidered to be better players than Maradona at times in their careers, who thinks that now? The other two were genius level players who just get looked at as guys who didn't win enough these days.
Zico is another genius level player who doesnt really get his due compared to how he was viewed in the past (as basically the best, or right up there).0
Romario is another who is sometimes overlooked, especially in Europe. When was the last time you heard someone talk about Stoichkov? Or Hagi? Or Zamorano? There are so many.
Also, there are players who were extremely high profile who have been virtually forgotten outside of their own countries: Boniek, Sanchez, Cubillas, etc. I mean no disrespect to those guys, just pointing out that they're not talked about in the same way they used to be.
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In the past its always the one with the "most" goals, "most" trophies, "most talented, "most" memorable performances etc whose legacy would stays longer. Because when people memories start to fade abit, the only thing which remains strong would be their unmatched records/achievements which solidify their legacy.
Best player with most WC wins - Pele
Best player with most CL wins - Di Stefano
Most career goals in top level - Pele, Puskas, Muller, Eusebio
Most memorable performance - Maradona (86 WC), Cruyff (74), Pele (70)
Most talented - Maradona, Best, Garrincha, Cruyff, Pele
Most Ballon D'ors - Cruyff, Platini, Van Basten
Most dominating - Pele (58-70), Di Stefano (55-60), Maradona (85-90)
Most memorable rivalry - Beckenabuer vs Cruyff (during 70s), Pele vs Maradona (as in GOAT debat)
Most revolutionary - Beckenbauer, Cruyff
Most CL goals - Di Stefano
Most WC goals (all time/single) - Muller / Fontaine, Eusebio
Most Euro goals (all time + single) - Platini
If we translate those to modern days:
Best player with most WC wins - Pele
Best player with most CL wins -
Ronaldo, Di Stefano
Most career goals in top level -
Ronaldo, Messi, Pele,
Romario, Puskas, Muller, Eusebio
Most memorable performance - Maradona (86 WC), Cruyff (74), Pele (70)
Most talented -
Messi, Maradona,
R9, Best, Garrincha, Cruyff, Pele
Most Ballon D'ors -
Messi, Ronaldo, Cruyff, Platini, Van Basten
Most dominating -
Messi (07-21),
Ronaldo (07-20), Pele (58-70), Di Stefano (55-60), Maradona (85-90)
Most memorable rivalry -
Messi vs Ronaldo, Beckenabuer vs Cruyff, Pele vs Maradona
Most revolutionary - Beckenbauer, Cruyff,
Ronaldo, Messi
Most CL goals -
Ronaldo, Messi (CL format) / Di Stefano (European Cup format)
Most WC goals (all time/single) -
Klose,
R9, Muller / Fontaine, Eusebio
Most Euro goals (all time/single) -
Ronaldo / Platini
There's really no chance his legacy would go down after he retires. And that's not even counting the fact he is by far the most famous/followed person in social media.