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

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

‘My dad’s in your home and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t wish to cut it off so I believed let’s do something different that nobody else has. I actually told the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the moment 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 debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s constantly had the frame of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football however has only expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

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

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

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager 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 families 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 extreme video game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.

‘In the house I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply provided back. 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 dad are has motivated me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s only ideal with the influence I have that I give back also.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a child you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everyone to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it’s positive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost 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 be reluctant when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, 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 constantly had the mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football

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 released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have been associated with a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it’s my finest start to the season – I just need to keep it going and make sure it’s my finest season. That’s the aim’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s nice 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 release a single with his debut song ‘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 room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season considering that 2003-04.

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

‘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 said however he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having good feedback from the team – even individuals who do not speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s plan at Everton was to build around the midfielder but he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely 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 delight has actually been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘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 first 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 eat. 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 all set to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another bit of free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually nice. It resembles one huge household.’

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and directly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

‘It reveals we have the capability to contend with anybody. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the 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