Because everything about Ronaldo from his story, looks, story, attitude/mentality is tailor-made for being popular on social media which also happened to blow up just when both him and Messi hit their prime’s. Messi on the other hand is more of an introverted footballing savant. Separate aspects from Ronaldo’s game is also easier/more iconic to try to duplicate (badly) growing up on the playground. Kids can always try to do ronaldo chops, stepovers, knuckleballs from stupid distances, sewey celebrations. Its kinda hard duplicate dribbling past 6 and chipping the keeper as a style if you know what I mean.
Brilliantly put