Pirlo happy at Messi's acknowledgement over free-kick inspiration

The Azzurri ace has expressed his pride after being recognised as the influence behind the Argentine's second goal against la Celeste

Italy star Andrea Pirlo spoke of the honour he felt when Lionel Messi recognised him as the source of inspiration for the mimicked free-kick that clinched Argentina's victory against Uruguay on Saturday.

The Barcelona ace deftly slipped his shot under a jumping wall to fool custodian Nestor Muslera, and subsequently credited Pirlo for the original idea.

"I am very happy to hear Messi say something like that," the 33-year-old told reporters at the Italy training compound. "That it came from Messi just made it better."

Pirlo will next face off against Juventus team-mate Nicklas Bendtner on Tuesday, when Cesare Prandelli's Azzurri host Denmark at San Siro next in their World Cup qualifying campaign.