Lets say people not from Italia or supporters of any italian team. What will he be remembered for?
I mean in +5 years, will children from all over the world remember Totti or Henry?
Define legend. When I grew up there was several players I hadn't seen but who I've read about and learned about because they were legends. Pele and Maradona are remembered because of trophies they didn't win but could have?
Nobody remembers losers or people who COULD have won trophies.
Totti won the World Cup. He almost won the Euro with Toldo being the only other worthy teammate despite the great team Italy possessed on paper (that's how strong the competition was).
Totti won the Serie A with Roma when everybody expected at least 4 teams to finish ahead of them.
But yeah, that doesn't count I guess.
But you're right. Nobody knows who Gary Lineker is.
Nobody rates Mendieta.
No one has heard the name Hector Cuper before.
Roberto Baggio is also some clown that no one will hear about.
No one heard of Michael Owen.
Ronaldo and Zlatan never won the CL or even been to the final so they're probably not worth any mention either.
Bergkamp won a lousy Uefa Cup and almost got Inter relegated and then won a couple of titles in England, who's heard of him?
Ballack? Who's that guy?
As for your question, people that do not witness something cannot remember it. They're taught it. And now that depends on the media. Get why the whole discussion exists now? Just because the media you read doesn't talk about Leonidas or doesn't tell you that Garrincha > Pele during their prime, it doesn't mean that it's not true. You just have to learn some things while others are served to you every day due to the exposure and hype they receive. It's like most kids think that Cristiano > Ronaldo, which is ridiculous.