体坛英语新闻：Messi says free-kick inspired by Ronaldinho

RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Lionel Messi has revealed he drew inspiration from former Barcelona teammate Ronaldinho during his two-goal performance in Argentina's 3-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Uruguay on Friday.

Messi netted his second goal by firing a free-kick under the Uruguay wall, emulating Atletico Mineiro's Ronaldinho and Juventus playmaker Andrea Pirlo, who have scored in the same manner in the past week.

"I saw that Ronaldinho and Pirlo both scored similar goals," Messi said.

"The goalkeeper knew that I like to shoot over the top and was flat-footed. I anticipated that he was going to jump and for that reason decided to go underneath."

Earlier this year Ronaldinho said he remained close friends with Messi, with whom he played at the Camp Nou from 2003 to 2008.