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

Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has assisted his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My papa’s in the home and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t wish to cut it off so I thought let’s do something various that no one else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the minute but I like it. My dad’s accepted it now so I’m simple.’

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

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has only expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and introducing his charitable structure, 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 revealing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

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

The 28-year-old says 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 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 hometown, where everything will be free in a regional supermarket.

‘You understand what Liverpool resemble – 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 father naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street – he would just purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s just best with the impact I have that I return as well.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more goals than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a child you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everyone to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) features age, being free and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it’s useful, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

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

One of those individuals that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn’t be reluctant when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. 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 always had the frame 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 release a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it’s my finest start to the season – I just have to keep it going and make sure it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a manager who offers you the 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 African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap”.

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

‘I do not get it on in the dressing space however 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 simply 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 said but 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 first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ adds Iwobi.

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

Iwobi would travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that joy has been found after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly assisting us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding which’s brought a lot of togetherness, says Iwobi.

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

Iwobi will have his work eliminated as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We organised a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned 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 organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer desires to take us out. That’s another little bit of totally free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly good. It’s like one huge household.’

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 video game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

‘It reveals we have the capability to contend with anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same versus 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