Feb 3 (Reuters) - Intesa Sanpaolo CEO Carlo Messina says in a press conference:

* INTESA SANPAOLO CEO: SAYS ANY PROJECT THAT STRENGTHENS THE NUMBER OF BANKING PLAYERS IN ITALY IS POSITIVE WHEN ASKED ABOUT MONTE DEI PASCHI

* INTESA SANPAOLO CEO: BANK'S MARKET SHARE IN ITALY IS SUCH THAT IT CANNOT DO ANY DOMESTIC M&A

* INTESA SANPAOLO CEO: WHEN ASKED ABOUT MPS SAYS IT MAKES NO SENSE FOR INTESA IT WOULD ONLY MEAN HAVING TO SELL BRANCHES Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage: (Reporting by Milan newsroom, editing by Alvise Armellini)