Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him

Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

‘Yeah, that really plays a part (in revealing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder states.

‘My daddy’s in your home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t wish to cut it off so I believed let’s do something various that nobody else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the moment but I like it. My father’s accepted it now so I’m easy.’

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s always had the mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has actually just revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s only just recently that I’ve been revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his best start to a Premier League season with five objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch enhancement

It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his debut under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday and on Sunday, he will be back in London feeding 100 households for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his home town, where everything will be free in a regional grocery store.

‘You understand what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an intense video game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.

‘In your house I was raised in, my father naturally just provided back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street – he would just buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has influenced me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it’s only ideal with the impact I have that I return as well.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a youngster you desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everyone to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (liberty) features age, being free and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s positive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it really plays a part.’

Among those people that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn’t think twice when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League so far’ and he concurs.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s constantly had the mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have been involved in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it’s my best start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the objective’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is described as an event of his with a blend of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap”.

It’s also a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.

‘I don’t get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can’t assist himself, Iwobi exposes.

‘He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. The first time he (Silva) heard ‘What’s Luv?’ he was just vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He stated it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was stated however he took pleasure in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having great feedback from the team – even individuals who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to construct around the midfielder however he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely played him at all.

Iwobi would take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has been discovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely assisting us this season. We’ve been having group meals and bonding which’s brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later in 2023

Iwobi will have his work cut out as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another little bit of complimentary food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really great. It resembles one huge household.’

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.

‘It reveals we have the ability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ Iwobi firmly insists.

Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot’s league-leaders might well be hearing ‘What’s Luv’ blasting out from the away dressing space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi