The shadow, perhaps. But Haydn exerted more influence on Beethoven than Mozart ever did. And while Mozart was a prodigy, he didn't achieve the majesty in 600 works that Beethoven did in a couple of symphonies.
LOL That old saw? Mozart could do things Beethoven couldn’t do. Like write for the voice and make everything seem organic and not merely inserted for shock value...and was a better orchestrator.