Im pretty sure this is only to avoid copyright, since footballers before were also from real life
i have seen name drops before , if not straight up "beethoven/paganinin reboorn" but i guess since theyr'e dead/part of history it doesn't matter
but other than some cameos/easter eggs some soccer fans would appreciate, i don't think anyone would care enough to sue assuming the artist isn't shit talking them the same way ppl saying "X public figure exists/rose to fame in Y city" or whatever but i guess safe than sorry (even tho that makes the disclaimer a straight up lie lol)