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 assisted 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 expressing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder says.

‘My father’s in your house and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t want to cut it off so I thought let’s do something various that no one 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 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 debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he’s always had the frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has actually only expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s only recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not just 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 improvement

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired teen who made his launching 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 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 complimentary in a local supermarket.

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

‘In your house I was raised in, my papa naturally just offered back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would just purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has motivated me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s just best 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 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 you wish to do your best to impress the manager and desire everybody to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (liberty) features age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it’s constructive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

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

Among 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 last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League up until now’ and he agrees.

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

Iwobi 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 first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been included in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it’s my finest start to the season – I just need to keep it going and make sure it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a supervisor who provides you the self-confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching song ‘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 combined with Rap”.

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

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

‘He is tapping the manager to listen to the song. The very first time he (Silva) heard ‘What’s Luv?’ he was simply vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin was like ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He stated it wasn’t bad. I know the 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 good feedback from the group – even individuals who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s plan at Everton was to build around the midfielder but 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 travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that joy has actually been found after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding which’s brought a lot 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 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), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we’re all set to fly and we can do anything together.’

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

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

‘It shows we have the ability to complete with anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi