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

Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually assisted his football in what he views 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 papa’s in your house and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t wish to suffice off so I believed let’s do something different that no one else has. I literally told the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the moment however I like it. My dad’s accepted it now so I’m simple.’

It’s a plain 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 however has just expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s just just recently that I’ve 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 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 teen 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 families 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 know what Liverpool are like – it’s going to be an extreme game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.

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

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 objectives than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a child you desire to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everybody to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being free and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it’s constructive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals 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 versus Brighton last week, 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 frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football

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?’

‘I have been included in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might say it’s my finest start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and make sure it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a supervisor who gives 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 explained as a celebration 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 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 help himself, Iwobi exposes.

‘He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. The 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 said it wasn’t bad. I know the very first time he didn’t understand what was said but he took pleasure in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

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

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder however 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 once again. Now that joy has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding which’s brought a lot 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 consume. We organised a trip 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 all set to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually good. It’s like one big household.’

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

‘It shows we have the ability to contend with anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ 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