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

Alex Iwobi is talking 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 up until now.

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

’My father’s in your home 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 thought let’s do something different that no one else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to ’express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the minute however 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 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 over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable structure, Project 17.

’It’s constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s only recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show 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 five objectives in 15 matches

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

It’s a plain 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 handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday and on Sunday, he will be back in London feeding 100 families for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where everything will be totally free in a local grocery store.

’You understand what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an extreme video game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.

’In your home I was raised in, my daddy naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street – he would just buy bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has motivated me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it’s just right with the impact I have that I return too.’

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more goals than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

’As a child you desire to do your best to impress the manager and desire everyone to know you are completely concentrated on football. But it (liberty) features age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it’s positive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

’You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re positive and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it actually plays a part.’

Among those people 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 last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ’finest 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 constantly had the frame of mind of sensation 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 tune ’Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ’What’s Luv?’

’I have been involved in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it’s my best start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and make certain it’s my finest season. That’s the goal’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ’the license to express’ himself. ’It’s great to have a who gives you the confidence to do that,’ he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song ’Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ’What’s Luv?’ which is explained 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 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 assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

’He is tapping the manager to listen to the tune. The very 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 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 individuals who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s plan at Everton was to build around the midfielder however he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly played him at all.

Iwobi would travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

’Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly helping us this season. We’ve been having team 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 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 consume. 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 feel like we’re prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. ’The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another little complimentary food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ’It’s actually nice. 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 game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.

’It reveals we have the ability to compete with anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the very same versus 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