The Argentine was never in line for a move to San Siro, but the Italians used his name to get supporters enthusiastic about the future
Inter discussed the unrealistic prospect of signing Lionel Messi to fuel the dreams of the club's supporters, according to Pirelli CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera.
Messi was briefly linked with a move to Inter last month, but the boss of their main sponsor insists the club were never close to signing him.
Provera is optimistic the Serie A side are on the way back to the top of world football with the help of new Chinese owners Suning.