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 views as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My in your house and he’s most likely heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t wish to suffice off so I believed let’s do something different that no one else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that it’s red and purple at the moment but 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 launching 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 only revealed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s just recently that I’ve been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.

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 actually added to his on-pitch improvement

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 cut out 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 home town, where everything will be totally free in a local grocery store.

‘You know what Liverpool are like – it’s going to be an intense video 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 father 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 dad are has actually inspired me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s only ideal with the influence I have that I return too.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick 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 manager and want everybody to understand you are completely concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it’s useful, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace versus 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 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

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

‘I have been involved in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it’s my finest start to the season – I just need to keep it going and make certain it’s my finest season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a manager who offers you the self-confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became 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 referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed 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 because 2003-04.

‘I do not get it on in the dressing space but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just 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 just vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin was like ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He said it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t understand what was stated however 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 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 construct around the midfielder however 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 camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure 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 certainly helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding which’s brought a great deal of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on 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 trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we’re prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little bit of complimentary food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually great. 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 capability to contend with anyone. 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi