Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is adamant superstar Lionel Messi will finish his career with the Blaugrana and won’t be heading to Inter Milan despite recent rumours.

Per Sky Sports (h/t Calciomercato.com) he said:

Messi has a contract with Barcelona and he’s happy to be here. He’s spent most of his life here, he still has three years on his contract and our goal is to have him ending his career as a player here. He’s a dream that won’t come true for Inter. He will stop to play for us when he will decide to stop playing football. He is the best player in the world, maybe the best of football history. He has given a lot to Barcelona. He plays for Barca together with other champions.

Inter president Erick Thohir recently admitted the club would love to sign the Argentinian should he become available:

Meanwhile, according to Filippo Cornacchia of Italian outlet Tuttosport (h/t Mark Critchley of the Independent), former international team-mate Juan Sebastian Veron recently revealed Messi once harboured ambitions to play for the Nerazzurri:

“It’s been a few years, but one time he told me he would like to play for Inter.”

However, he added: “But let me be clear, this was something that happened in the past. Massimo Moratti was still the owner of Inter and, frankly, I see it impossible for Leo to leave Barcelona.”

Indeed, the club were formerly among the powerhouses of European football, but like their great rivals AC Milan, they have seriously struggled in recent years and have not only not finished in Serie A’s top four since 2011, but have actually become something of a mid-table side.

Inter are rebuilding in a bid to restore their former glory and are currently top of Serie A, but they have some way to go before they can re-establish themselves as one of Europe’s elite.

Aside from Inter representing a significant step down from Barca, Messi has little reason to depart the club since everything is going his way.

The 28-year-old is already seen by many as their best player ever—which is no small feat, given their pantheon of greats—and is rightfully adored by the fans, while his good relationship with his team-mates on the pitch is evident for all to see.

After Barca claimed the FIFA Club World Cup earlier in December—their fifth trophy of the calendar year—Eurosport revealed the Argentinian’s incredible haul of silverware:

Meanwhile, former Barca striker Gary Lineker believes Messi is firmly on course for his fifth Ballon d’Or:

Thohir’s comments likely embody a feeling shared by every president and chairman in Europe, rather than a serious declaration of intent.

Messi’s immense love for the club will most likely see him stay at the Camp Nou for the rest of his career, though, so signing him will remain a pipe dream for his many admirers elsewhere.

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