I think a lot of it has to do with the Ronaldo vs Messi debate. For too long it was either of them as the best player which would be determined by who scored the most goals that year.

I think also the average football fan is heavily influenced by what they are told as opposed to what they see.

During the off-season which for these players consists of about 2 weeks, they’re on holiday. No way they would go during that time.

Moans, whines, throws tantrums, and loses the ball at an incredibly high rate for a midfielder. The top 20 club teams in the world, the ones with aspirations of winning the Champions League wouldn’t start him.