- Das died while trying to pull of skills by Lionel Messi

- The 19-year-old was a die-hard Messi fan and a good footballer

- Neighbours described him as a humble young man loved by everyone

Kolkata city in India was engulfed in sadness following the demise of 19-year-old Sagar Das, a young collage student and avid Lionel Messi fan.

Das, who is also a junior footballer in Belgharia's New Basudebpur, lost his life while trying to imitate Messi on the pitch during a football match.

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According to The Times of India, Das attempted to pull of one of Messi's classic skills on the pitch but things went horribly wrong for the young lad.

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Lionel Messi of Argentina during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between France and Argentina at Kazan Arena on June 30, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. Photo: Getty Images

He lost his balance while trying to pull the move and the ball hit his chest rendering him unconscious.

Das was rushed to Kamarhati Sagar Dutta Medical College and admitted only to later succumb in the wee hours of Wednesday, July 4.

Relatives and loved ones close to Das described him as a football enthusiast obsessed with the beautiful game.

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Lionel Messi of Argentina looks dejected during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between France and Argentina at Kazan Arena on June 30, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. Photo: Getty Images

" He watched each and every match till late at night during this World Cup. He was a die-hard fan of Messi. He was so obsessed with the world Cup that he forgot studies," his cousin Samar Koyal said.

Pranab Bhattacharya, a fellow club member, said Das was trying to convert a pass from a teammate into a goal when he fell and lost consciousness after the impact of the ball hitting his chest.

"During the match, he was trying to imitate moves performed by Messi and other players at the ongoing World Cup. When he tried to imitate Messi's style while trying to convert a pass from a team member into a goal, he lost balance and fell. The ball hit him hard on the chest. Under the impact of the hit, he lost consciousness," Pranab said.

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T-shirt depicting Lionel Messi is seen in the crowd during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between France and Argentina at Kazan Arena on June 30, 2018 in Kazan. Photo: Getty Images

Relatives and friends mourned his death, eulogising him as a charming, young, humble man who was loved by everyone and an excellent footballer to say the least.

" He was loved by everybody as a good footballer. We still can't believe he is no more," neighbour Pratima Dey said.

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