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 assisted his football in what he sees as his best start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My dad’s in your house and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t desire to suffice off so I believed let’s do something different that no one else has. I literally told the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that it’s red and purple at the minute but I like it. My dad’s accepted it now so I’m simple.’

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s always had the state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has actually only revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs 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 just recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show individuals 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 contributed to his on-pitch improvement

It’s a stark 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 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 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 tensions.

‘In your house I was raised in, my papa naturally simply provided back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street – he would just buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has motivated me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s just right with the influence I have that I give back as well.’

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

‘As a youngster you desire to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s useful, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly . And when you have people that back you, it truly plays a part.’

One of 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 last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League up until now’ and he agrees.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 households 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 launching song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’

‘I have actually been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it’s my best start to the season – I just have to keep it going and make sure it’s my best 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 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 tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing combined with Rap”.

It’s also a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season considering that 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 help 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 resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He said it wasn’t bad. I understand the first time he didn’t understand what was stated but he took pleasure 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 first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder however 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 throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has actually been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

‘Everyone’s mindset 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 and that’s brought a lot of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later in 2023

Iwobi will have his work eliminated as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little bit of free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually great. It’s like one huge household.’

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

‘It reveals we have the capability to compete with anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the same against Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,’ 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