Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him

Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually assisted 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 states.

‘My dad’s in the home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn’t want to suffice off so I believed let’s do something different that nobody else has. I literally told the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the moment but 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 launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s always had the mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football however has only expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s only recently that I’ve been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals 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 5 goals in 15 matches

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

It’s a plain contrast from the short-haired teen 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 home town, where whatever 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 be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.

‘In your home I was raised in, my daddy naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street – he would just purchase bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has motivated 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 provide back as well.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually 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 desire to do your finest to impress the manager and want everyone to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (flexibility) comes with age, being free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it’s useful, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘best season in the Premier League up until now’ and he concurs.

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

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s constantly had the mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the 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?’

‘I have actually been associated with a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it’s my best start to the season – I just have to keep it going and ensure it’s my finest season. That’s the goal’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a manager who provides you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says.

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?’ which is described 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 finest start to a top-flight season since 2003-04.

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

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having excellent feedback from the team – even individuals who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to construct around the midfielder however he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly played him at all.

Iwobi would take a trip 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 frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly assisting us this season. We’ve been having group meals and bonding which’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 consume. We organised a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went 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 seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another bit of totally free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really good. It resembles one big household.’

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having 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 capability to complete with anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ 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