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 helped 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 expressing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder says.

‘My papa’s in the house and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t desire to suffice off so I believed let’s do something different that nobody else has. I actually 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 father’s accepted it now so I’m easy.’

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

Iwobi insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has only revealed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s only just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually 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 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 understand what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an intense game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.

‘In the house I was raised in, my father naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would simply 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 lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s just best with the influence I have that I give back as well.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more goals 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 youngster you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everyone to understand you are completely concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it’s useful, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re positive and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 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 so far’ and he agrees.

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 mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it’s my best start to the season – I just need to keep it going and make sure it’s my best season. That’s the aim’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a supervisor who gives you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very 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?’ which is described as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing blended 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 since 2003-04.

‘I do not get it on in the dressing room however 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 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 said it wasn’t bad. I know the 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 excellent feedback from the group – even the people who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to construct around the midfielder however 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 once again. Now that delight has actually been found after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

‘Everyone’s mindset 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, states Iwobi.

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

Iwobi will have his work eliminated as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We arranged a journey 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 prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little bit of totally free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly good. It’s like one big family.’

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

‘It reveals we have the ability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ Iwobi 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