in 50 years time in the future, which player in this generation that possibly have a higher chance of been remembered, same case like pele, puskas, cruyff
I would say Messi and CR have the highest chance of being remembered because they are attacking players that are always considered attractive by fans and media, have won everything at the club and individual level(winning golden ball almost every year) and have always received the most media attention. Wingers like Ribery and Robben at their prime were incredible technically as well but their achievement on the individual level and club level can't be compared to Messi and CR. Pirlo and Xavi in the midfield likewise also have a very good chance of being remembered. Pirlo is the one that has redefined the deep-lying playmaker role(the first one to re-establish and define the success of "Guardiola No.4" after Guardiola initially claimed that he believed his role would become extinct as football evolves) and has dominated the the first half of the last decade at his prime(2003-07), reaching 3 CL Finals in 5 years, and winning the MVP in the semi-final and final of the WC. On the other hand, Xavi has won everything at the club and national level and has dominated the second half of the last decade at his prime(2008-11) as the center of the "Spanish Golden Generation." Even though Pirlo and Xavi were standing in opposite poles in the style of the football they played, but they shared very similar roles. And together, Pirlo and Xavi have played and achieved their maximum in the style of football they played and have best defined the football of this generation. But unlike Messi and CR. Their importance on the pitch are often not recognized due to their positions and they usually don't receive as much attention and recognition as Messi and CR do. Buffon and Casillas(even though my favorite GK is Oliver Kahn) have been exemplary in the goal keeper position as well. Casillas has won everything at the club and national level as their captain and leader of the team. Buffon on the other hand, even though has not achieved as much as Casillas had on the club and national level, but his IMMENSE skills as a goal keeper can't be overlooked and his positioning, his reflexes, his GK technique have always served as reference for any GK.