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

Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has assisted his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My papa’s in your home and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t wish to cut it off so I thought let’s do something various that nobody else has. I literally told the hair stylist to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the minute however I like it. My papa’s accepted it now so I’m easy.’

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

Iwobi insists that he’s always had the mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has actually just expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

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

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

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

It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired teen who made his debut under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out as Fulham handle 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 totally free in a local supermarket.

‘You know what Liverpool are like – it’s going to be an intense 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 daddy naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has inspired me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it’s only ideal with the impact I have that I offer back also.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more objectives than in any other season, with five 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 best to impress the manager and want everyone to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (liberty) features age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it’s constructive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re positive and with me, feeling confident to reveal 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 hesitate when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘best season in the Premier League so far’ and he agrees.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 families 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 a single with his launching tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been associated with 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 have to keep it going and make certain it’s my finest season. That’s the aim’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a supervisor who provides you the confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune ‘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 blend of Afro-Swing combined with Rap”.

It’s likewise a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season considering that 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 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 said it wasn’t bad. I know the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was stated 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 the people who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ 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 happiness has been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We’ve been having team meals and bonding which’s brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.

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

Iwobi will have his work cut out 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 journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we’re ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another little bit of complimentary food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually great. It resembles one huge 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 game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

‘It shows we have the ability to complete with anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact 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