Speculation regarding the pair had gradually died down as Luz and Madonna had not been spotted together for over a month now but yesterday's appearance fuelled rumours that they are dating each other.

The 50-year-old singer left a restaurant side by side with the 22-year-old in Manhattan's trendy meat packing district yesterday. Their lunch date follows reports that Luz flew to London to celebrate his 22nd birthday with Madonna.

The couple first met in December last year during a photo shoot and Madonna was apparently so enamoured with the handsome Latino, she asked him to accompany her for the South American leg of her 'Sticky & Sweet' tour.

Since being linked to Madonna Luz's modelling career has been given a huge boost, the 'New York Post' reported. His former agent Sergios Mattos, who runs 40 Graus Models, told the publication that Luz stopped taking his calls after meeting Madonna and has now signed to the more high profile Ford Models. Luz has also apparently raised his modeling rates since meeting Madonna.