Chicharito remains a Mexican player who is remembered today for his time at Manchester United.
In an era where football is broadcast year-round and viewers have countless other entertainment options, an opening match lacking famous superstars may no longer generate the same level of anticipation as past World Cups.
Today's fans want to see their idols compete.
There was a time when football fans chose their favorite team simply because of the country's name. In Vietnam during the 1980s and 1990s, many people loved the Soviet Union, West Germany, or Italy simply because of their special affection for those countries. Later, that love extended to the players who wore the national team's jersey.
But modern football has completely changed the way fans approach a team. Today, the majority of viewers connect with a team through its star players. Argentina has a massive global fanbase not only because they are the reigning world champions, but also because it's Lionel Messi's team. Portugal also has millions of followers thanks to the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo.
When Messi leaves Argentina or Ronaldo officially retires from Portugal, many fans will shift their attention to new idols. This is not unlike what PSG saw a surge in followers when Messi joined the team. But after the Argentine superstar left, the French club's global appeal also decreased significantly.