I can’t see how he’s been “influential”. Everyone hits a deadball in the way Ronaldo showed us, so I’d say he’s been more so. Messi’s just a superb footballer in his own right. No one tries to emulate him.

Tried that in the 2018 World cup with “grappling” in the penalty area. Couple of games with 2-3 penalties each and…no more rule. Football has no appetite for multiple drastic punishments, even short term. Football is a stupid, capitalist behemoth.