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 assisted his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My papa’s in your home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t desire to cut it off so I thought let’s do something various that nobody else has. I literally told the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the moment however I like it. My daddy’s accepted it now so I’m simple.’

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 always had the frame of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football however has actually just revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs 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 only just recently that I’ve been revealing myself a lot more, to show people 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 goals in 15 matches

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

It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager 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 hometown, where whatever will be free in a regional grocery store.

‘You understand what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an extreme game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.

‘In your house I was raised in, my papa naturally just offered back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would just purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has actually influenced me to give to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s just ideal with the influence I have that I return too.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more objectives than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a youngster you want to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being complimentary 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 do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually plays a part.’

Among those 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 in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League up until now’ and he concurs.

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

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

‘I have actually been involved in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might state it’s my finest start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and make sure it’s my finest season. That’s the aim’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a supervisor who provides you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is described as a celebration 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 space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season given 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 simply vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He said 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 excellent feedback from the team – even the individuals who don’t speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy 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 barely played him at all.

Iwobi would travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that happiness has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely helping us this season. We’ve been having team meals and bonding and that’s brought a lot of togetherness, says 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 prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another bit of totally free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really nice. It’s like one huge household.’

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 take on anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ Iwobi firmly insists.

Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot’s league-leaders might well be hearing ‘What’s Luv’ blasting out from the away dressing room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi