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 assisted his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My dad’s in the house and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t want to cut it off so I thought let’s do something different that nobody else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that 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 plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he’s always had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has actually just expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s just just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches

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

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

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday and on Sunday, he will be back in London feeding 100 families 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 totally free in a local grocery store.

what Liverpool are like – it’s going to be an intense video game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.

‘In the home I was raised in, my papa naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually influenced me to give to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s just right with the influence I have that I return too.’

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

‘As a youngster you want to do your best to impress the manager and want everyone to understand you are completely concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s constructive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling confident to reveal 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 think twice when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘best season in the Premier League up until now’ and he concurs.

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 feeling like there’s more to life than football

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

‘I have been included in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it’s my best start to the season – I just have to keep it going and make certain it’s my best season. That’s the goal’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a supervisor who offers you the self-confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing blended 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 considering that 2003-04.

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

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

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

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

Iwobi would take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely assisting us this season. We’ve been having team meals and bonding which’s brought a great deal of togetherness, says 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 handle 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), 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 team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little totally free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really good. It resembles one big household.’

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

‘It reveals we have the ability to complete with anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ Iwobi insists.

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

FulhamAlex Iwobi