Antonio Conte dismisses Lionel Messi rumours

Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte has denied suggestions that his team could sign Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

A recent report claimed that the Italian giants were confident of pulling off a deal for the Argentina international when his contract at Camp Nou expires next summer.

However, Conte has branded the rumours "fantasy football", insisting that it would be almost impossible for the Serie A outfit to complete a move for the 33-year-old.

"We are talking about fantasy football, situations that at the moment cannot be linked to Inter. There's nobody who doesn't want Messi. But such a situation is very, very, very far from Inter," Conte told reporters.

Messi was hugely critical of his club in the aftermath of their 2-1 loss to Osasuna on July 16, with the Catalan giants conceding this season's La Liga title to Real Madrid.

The South American has again been in excellent form at club level this term, scoring 30 times and contributing 26 assists in 42 appearances in all competitions.