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 hairstyle has actually helped his football in what he sees as his finest start to a League season up until now.

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

‘My papa’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 desire to cut it off so I thought let’s do something various that no one else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the moment however I like it. My dad’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 mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has actually just expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable foundation, 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 revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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

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

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 take on 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 hometown, where everything will be complimentary in a local supermarket.

‘You know what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an intense game but whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.

‘In the house I was raised in, my daddy naturally just offered back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street – he would just purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has influenced me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s only right with the impact 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 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 child you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everyone to understand you are completely concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s constructive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re positive and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually 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 hesitate when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva said 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 firmly insists that he’s always had the frame of mind 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 debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been associated with a great deal 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 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 great to have a manager who gives you the self-confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching 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 also 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 do not get it on in the dressing room however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can’t assist himself, Iwobi exposes.

‘He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. The first time he (Silva) heard ‘What’s Luv?’ he was just vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He said it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t understand what was stated but he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having great feedback from the team – even the people who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy 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 barely played him at all.

Iwobi would take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has actually been uncovered 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 have actually been having team meals and bonding and that’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 consume. We arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we’re all set 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 wishes to take us out. That’s another little bit of free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really nice. It’s like one big family.’

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having 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 ability to compete with anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ 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 room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi