Fans reckon David Luiz, 37, is Benjamin Button as youthful-looking ace celebrates sending side top with 97th-min winner

STUNNED viewers reckon ex-Arsenal defender David Luiz is a young Gunn aged 37  – after celebrating his last-gasp winner for Flamengo crazily.

The former Chelsea ace rejoiced like a debutant rather than a veteran as his 94th-minute header put the Brazilian giants top of the league.

Getty

David Luiz showed some carnival spirit in Rio de Janeiro as as the Flamengo matchwinner proved his passion for the game is as strong as ever[/caption]

Reuters

Luiz was mobbed by team-mates after his stoppage-time stunner[/caption]

Fans reckon Luiz is football’s version of Benjamin Button – the movie character played by Brad Pitt who ages in reverse.

The 57-cap Brazilian still has his trademark curly locks and cavalier style of coming forward from the back.

That frazzled-hair look led one viewer to label the matchwinner “Mainshow Bob” – a sporty upgrade on The Simpsons‘ cartoon character Sideshow Bob.

Luiz rose highest to nod home a free-kick by Gerson and clinch a  2-1 win over fifth-placed Bahia. 

Looking more like a has-teen than a has-been, he then raced away in delight – to the amusement and astonishment of many viewers.

Luiz’s two-year spell with the Gunners ended in 2021.

And one curious observer posted: “Why does he look younger now than at Arsenal?”

Another wrote: “He’s 37? F*** I’m old.”

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Luiz’s career began 18 years ago with Brazilians Vitoria – before spells with Benfica, Chelsea twice, PSG, Arsenal and, since 2021, Flamengo.

And one awed viewer, who claimed to have seen him in 2006, commented: “Imagine how i feel. I remember him as a young prospect.”

So why does Luiz look and act so youthful?

It could just be his fun spirit, positive attitude and zest for life.

But fans had another theory.

This post summed up that view: “He lives in Rio my guy, it rejuvenates you lol.”

Well, Luiz certainly celebrated like he was at a carnival!