I think the question that was asked to those kids is who is the better player out of Messi or Ronaldo and they answered Messi. Not that they were asking who's your role model. Of course Messi had the better career and is been the better player.
Most of the current best young players in the world right now such as Mbappe and Haaland all look up to Ronaldo, before they do with Messi. Mbappe had Ronaldo posters in his room for example. The current Argentine youngster looks up to Ronaldo before he does with Messi. Why?
Because Ronaldo worked for who he is. When he first arrived at United, he was a skinny scrawny kid with acned face and braces, but he managed to transform himself into one of the most masculine men in the world. He's an attractive, tall man with a 6 pack, whilst putting up one of the best figures in football history. Everybody wants to be like him and follow his path.
Messi on the other day, is a freak of nature. A naturally gifteld player, but there's not a lot interesting about him outside of football. He's skinny, and he doesn't give off masculine vibes at all.
In the US, Ronaldo is universally recognized by people. Messi on the other hand? People barely know him. Maybe some sports fan, but that's it.
People appreciate and look up to masculinity.
