Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed that he rejected an attempt from Inter Milan to buy Lionel Messi this summer.

Messi is a leading contender for the Ballon d'Or after leading Barca to a Primera Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble.

When asked in Corriere dello Sport if Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti had expressed an interest in buying Messi, Laporta said: "Yes he did.

"But there is nothing to talk about.

"Messi is not for sale, he (Moratti) must forget about it."

The 22-year-old forward recently signed a two-year contract extension with the European champions until 2016.

The Argentina international's improved deal includes a buyout clause worth 250million euros.