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

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

‘My daddy’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 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 minute but I like it. My daddy’s accepted it now so I’m easy.’

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 feeling like there’s more to life than football however has actually only expressed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s only 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 says his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch enhancement

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 whatever will be free in a local grocery store.

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

‘In the home I was raised in, my daddy naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would just purchase of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually inspired me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s just right with the impact I have that I return also.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more objectives than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply two 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 fully concentrated on football. But it (liberty) features age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it’s constructive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘best 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 firmly insists that he’s always had the mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the 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 actually been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it’s my finest start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the objective’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a manager who provides you the self-confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched 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 also a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season considering that 2003-04.

‘I don’t get it on in the dressing space 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 know the very first time he didn’t understand what was stated 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 individuals who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ includes 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 take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly assisting us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding and that’s brought a great deal 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 eat. We arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re ready 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 desires to take us out. That’s another bit of complimentary food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly good. It resembles one big household.’

But first, 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 shows we have the ability to complete with anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ Iwobi firmly 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