Zanetti held talks with Messi about joining Inter Milan after he left Barcelona

Javier Zanetti has revealed that he held talks with Lionel Messi about joining Inter Milan due to their 'rapport' after the Argentine left Barcelona.

In 2021, the Camp Nou legend joined PSG for free after more than 20 years of life at Barça.

The Inter vice-president, 49, claimed he was 'surprised' at the 35-year-old's departure.

He also spoke with him, however the Italian club could not 'compete with PSG or Premier League clubs'.

'I was surprised when he [Messi] left Barcelona,' Zanetti told DAZN, as quoted by Calciomercato.com.

He continued: 'Realistically, we cannot compete with PSG or Premier League clubs, but due to our rapport, we spoke when there was a chance.'

It comes as PSG sporting director Luis Campos confirmed the club are in talks with Messi over a new contract.

Messi is set to be a free agent at the end of the season and has been linked with a move away from the French club in recent months.

Reports had suggested he was set to join Inter Miami in America, while former side Barcelona have always remained interested in taking him back to Spain.

He has not shown any clear desire to leave PSG though, and it looks likely he'll extend his deal in Paris.

Speaking to Telefoot via Barca Universal, Campos expressed his desire to keep the World Cup winning captain at the club.

He said: 'At the moment, we are in discussions with Messi for his extension. I would like to keep him in this project, I can’t hide it.

'We are talking at the moment to achieve this goal, and continue to have him with us.'

PSG are currently eight points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table, with Campos credited for their fast start to the season.

He arrived in the summer, replacing Leonardo Araujo, and has been said to have had a major impact on the dressing room.

Messi has scored 26 goals in 57 games for the side since joining two years ago, helping them win Ligue 1 last season by 15 points.