David Luiz has responded to internet trolls with… a trip to the barbers.
The Brazilian defender is a footballing great from his time at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, while he also represented Arsenal. And impossible to forget due to his famous curly hair.
However, still going at the age of 38 back home with Fortaleza, he’s had to take on a new look.
Luiz was the subject of football meme accounts this past week when pictures of his dampened hair while playing in Brazil went viral.
Exposing his receding hairline, Luiz had to deal with some mean comments and jokes that he requires a trip to Turkey for a transplant.
Instead, though, he went to a specialist barber called Juarez Leite, who left the defender absolutely stunned with his work.
In a video at the hairdressers Luiz tells his countryman: “Over the years everyone knew me a lot by my hair, it was something very unexpected but natural.
“Since I was little I always cut my hair off because that way I could cut it for free and my mother gave me this little card so you can cut it for free.
“A little bit before going to Europe me and a teammate cut each others’ hair to pass time, to cover the cold in your ears and it became a natural trademark.
“Over the years I’ve lost a little hair and I’ve treated baldness for many, many years, but now I have much more difficulty to have my hair how I like it with the full curls.”
Leite then got to work, and revealed a new Luiz who was absolutely stunned.
“You rejuvenated a very old boy!” he said in shock. “Where did you put all the bald bits? What a beast, thank you bro!”
Juarez Leite But he’s got a new look without their advice[/caption]
He then joked: “You stuck something in here when I had my eyes closed! If I go and shower everything will fall out.”
That wasn’t the case, though, and Luiz was full of delight as he said he can now spend more time playing with his daughters rather than worrying about his hair.
He also told the barber how he’s delighted he won’t have to walk around in a cap anymore.
The video blew up in Brazil and Luiz received some heartwarming responses after the earlier trolling.
Posting to his 24 million Instagram followers with his new style, he captioned an image: “Thanks for the messages! Thank you Lord, everything is good.”
Returning to the pitch, Luiz didn’t feel any Samson-like powers as Fortaleza drew to Colombian side Atletico Bucaramanga to stay bottom of their Copa Libertadores group.
@davidluiz23Luiz thanked fans for their messages online[/caption]
However, he may well end up being a good luck charm for his new side, having won trophies with every single professional team he’s played for.
Starting out at Benfica he picked up the Portuguese title and later won the Premier League, Champions League, two FA Cups and a pair of Europa Leagues at Chelsea in two separate stints.
Between that he lifted two Ligue 1 titles and six more honours at PSG before an FA Cup and Community Shield with Arsenal.
Leaving Europe for his homeland in 2021, Luiz achieved the ultimate glory of a Libertadores with Fluminense, cementing his status as one of the nation’s great defenders.
