Endrick, a new football star recruited to Real Madrid, quoted Cristiano Ronaldo as his idol. This is also seen with Haaland, Mbappe, Saka, Vini Jr, Rodrygo, Kvara. So many young players today all state Ronaldo as an influence for them. Messi has more accolades than Ronaldo, but the only young players I can think that stated him as an influence is Julian Alvarez and Jude Bellingham. Why do you think most young players respect and admire Ronaldo more than Messi?
Ronaldo has more PR. Just look at this thread. People genuinely going around saying he is the peak of working hard while Messi is a gifted freak of nature. When anyone with a brain knows both players have both.
But that being said Endrick has previously said he looks up to Messi. But he got shit loads of backlash for it (since he is going to Real). So it’s not like these things you hear are objective