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

Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My father’s in your home and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t desire to suffice off so I believed let’s do something various that nobody else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the moment but I like it. My daddy’s accepted it now so I’m simple.’

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

Iwobi insists that he’s constantly had the frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has only revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and releasing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s just just recently that I have actually been expressing 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 finest start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches

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

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

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out 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 whatever will be complimentary in a regional supermarket.

‘You know what Liverpool are like – it’s going to be an intense video game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.

‘In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s just right with the impact I have that I return also.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more objectives 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 child you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everyone to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it’s positive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals 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 hesitate when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League up until now’ and he agrees.

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

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being 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 actually been involved in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it’s my finest start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and make certain it’s my best season. That’s the goal’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a supervisor who provides you the confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap”.

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

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

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

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

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

Iwobi would travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has been found after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely helping us this season. We have actually been having team 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 on 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 arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we’re prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little bit of free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly good. It’s like one huge family.’

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

‘It reveals we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ Iwobi insists.

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

FulhamAlex Iwobi