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

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

‘My daddy’s in the 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 suffice off so I thought let’s do something different that no one else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the moment but I like it. My papa’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 constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has just expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

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

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his best start to a Premier League season with five 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 cut out 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 whatever will be totally free in a regional supermarket.

‘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 tensions.

‘In the house I was raised in, my dad naturally just offered back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has inspired me to give to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s only right with the impact I have that I return as well.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more objectives than in any other season, with five 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 finest to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it’s positive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You have to be strong mentally. do well when they’re positive and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League up until now’ and he concurs.

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 sensation like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very 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 included in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it’s my best start to the season – I just need to keep it going and make certain it’s my finest season. That’s the aim’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a manager who gives you the 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 an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap”.

It’s also a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season given 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 help himself, Iwobi exposes.

‘He is tapping the manager to listen to the song. 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 stated it wasn’t bad. I understand the first time he didn’t understand what was said but he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.

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

Silva’s strategy 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 travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move last year.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely helping us this season. We’ve been having group meals and bonding and that’s brought a lot 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 eliminated 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 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 ready to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is arranged 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 free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly nice. It resembles one huge family.’

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

‘It reveals we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ Iwobi firmly insists.

Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot’s league-leaders might well be hearing ‘What’s Luv’ blasting out from the away dressing room.

FulhamAlex Iwobi