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

Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My papa’s in the home and he’s probably 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 no one else has. I actually told the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the minute however I like it. My daddy’s accepted it now so I’m easy.’

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal debut 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 however has actually only revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable structure, 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 individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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

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

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 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 resemble – it’s going to be an intense video game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.

‘In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally simply gave back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s only best with the influence I have that I return also.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more goals 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 youngster you desire to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to understand you are fully concentrated on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being free and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it’s useful, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, great to express 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 be reluctant when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘best season in the Premier League so far’ and he concurs.

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 mindset of feeling 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 debut tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have been included in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it’s my best start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the aim’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a supervisor who provides you the self-confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching 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 blended with Rap”.

It’s also a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season since 2003-04.

‘I do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can’t assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

‘He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the song. The very first time he (Silva) heard ‘What’s Luv?’ he was simply vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He stated it wasn’t bad. I know the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was stated however he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.

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

Silva’s plan at Everton was to construct 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely assisting us this season. We’ve been having group 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 take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. 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 three video games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little totally free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really nice. It resembles one big household.’

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

‘It reveals we have the ability to contend with anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi