Lionel Messi believes Massimo Moratti was "only joking" when the Inter Milan president said he was hoping to sign the Barcelona superstar.

GettyImagesLionel Messi would command a place in any team in the world

Moratti said Messi could be arriving as a "gift" for Nerazzurri fans during the January transfer window but has since played down Inter's chances of signing the FIFA World Player of the Year.

"Messi? It's the journalists who continue to refer to him," Moratti said on Sunday. "Messi would be wanted by any club, but signing him would be a very difficult operation. But in the future, who knows?"

Messi began his professional career at Barca before maturing into the world's finest player at Camp Nou and says he has no intention whatsoever of leaving the club.

"He was only joking and didn't mean it seriously," Messi said. "My situation has not changed, as Barcelona is my home and I am happy here. I thank Moratti for his words and for having thought of me, even if it was just a joke, but I hope to stay here forever."