Argentina superfan feared to have killed himself in India after leaving a suicide note and vanishing hours after loss to Croatia
Dinu Alex, 30, is suspected to have jumped into a river in Kerala state after leaving a suicide note in his bedroom
A LIONEL Messi superfan in India is suspected to have killed himself after Argentina's shock loss to Croatia in the World Cup.
Dinu Alex, 30, is reported to have left a note before he left his home in the football-loving state of Kerala and jumped in a river.
The letter found in his bedroom said he could not bear the pain of seeing his beloved Argentina lose, the Hindustani Times reported.
His family told the local paper he seemed "disturbed" after the game and went missing a few hours later.
They told the police who sent a rescue team to search for Alex along the Meenachil river despite the heavy downpour.
His relative Joice Kottathil said Alex had very few friends but passionately followed football, .
"Messi, my life is for you, waiting to see you lift the Cup," he reportedly wrote in one of his books.
In another, the football fanatic penned: "My team is starting its journey, carrying my life. I will do it."
His father said he watched his son go to bed at around 11.30pm but when the family woke up, he was gone.
All they found was Alex's Argentina jersey, a mobile phone cover adorned with an image of Messi and the suicide note.
Police sniffer dogs are reported to have traced his scent from the bedroom to the nearby river.
Authorities suspected he used the torch on his phone to find his way to the water in the middle of the night.
Kerala police told Goal: "On the basis of suspicion, we are searching the Meenachil river and the surrounding area.
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"The police and Fire Force unit are on it. We cannot confirm the motive (Argentina loss) but the search is definitely on
There is still a very slim chance that Argentina, who drew their first match to Iceland, could stay in the competition.
To progress from Group D, they must beat Nigeria next Tuesday and hope for two other fixtures to go their way.
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