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

Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My daddy’s in your 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 thought let’s do something various that nobody else has. I literally told the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that 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 debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s always had the mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has actually just expressed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals 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 5 goals in 15 matches

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

It’s a plain 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 handle 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 home town, where whatever will be free in a regional 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 be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.

‘In your house I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street – he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has motivated me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s only ideal 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 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 youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everybody to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being free and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it’s constructive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly . And when you have individuals that back you, it actually plays a part.’

Among 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League so far’ and he concurs.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of sensation 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 tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been involved in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it’s my best start to the season – I just need to keep it going and ensure it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a manager who provides you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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 explained 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 room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.

‘I don’t get it on in the dressing room but 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 tune. 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 said but he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.

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

Silva’s plan 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 across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has been found after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly helping us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding and that’s brought a lot 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 eliminated as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

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

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer desires to take us out. That’s another little free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really good. It resembles one big family.’

But first, 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 had plenty of credit for Fulham.

‘It shows 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 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