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

Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually helped 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 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 tired and didn’t want to cut it off so I believed let’s do something various that no one else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the minute however I like it. My papa’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 always had the frame of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has actually only expressed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s just recently that I’ve been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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

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

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager 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 households for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where whatever will be complimentary in a regional supermarket.

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

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

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more objectives 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 child you want to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everybody to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being free and not being pushed about . If it’s useful, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling positive 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.’

One of 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, 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 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 release a single with his launching song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have been associated with a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it’s my best start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and make sure it’s my best season. That’s the goal’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a supervisor who offers you the self-confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to 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 given 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 reveals.

‘He is tapping the manager to listen to the song. The very first time he (Silva) heard ‘What’s Luv?’ he was just vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin was like ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He stated it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t understand what was said however he took pleasure in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

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

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder but 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 travel throughout 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 found after his ₤ 22M move last year.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding and that’s brought a lot of togetherness, says 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 again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video 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 nice. It resembles one big family.’

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 lots of credit for Fulham.

‘It shows we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ 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