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Disagree, Messi is GOATy, but he isn't the most influential player in the history of football. That is because there wasn't a way of playing in that role prior to Messi and post Messi. Maradona did set the same precedent for the small attackers many years before.

R9 is more influential than Messi for example. There was a prior to R9 era where strikers played in one manner. And after R9 era where strikers played differently.

Ibra for example is more influential for the tall/big striker position than Messi for his position. Before Ibra the big CF were asked to keep the ball, fight the defenders and be good at the box. After Ibra, these strikers are asked to do way more, drop deep, progress the ball, set the tempo, be more technically able and so on. Haaland is asked to hold himself to a higher standard because of standards Ibra set to that category for example.

Baresi is also more influential for the CB position, considering his height.

The use of the word "INFLUENTIAL" is used in a wrong manner.