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

Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has helped his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season so far.

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

‘My daddy’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 cut it off so I thought let’s do something various that nobody else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the moment however I like it. My father’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 feeling like there’s more to life than football however has only revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly been my hobby to do music, work and things in style. But it’s only recently that I’ve been revealing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches

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

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired teen who made his launching 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 families for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where whatever will be complimentary in a regional supermarket.

‘You know what Liverpool are like – it’s going to be an extreme game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.

‘In your house I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually inspired me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s just ideal with the impact I have that I give back too.’

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 simply two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

‘As a child you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everybody to know you are totally focused on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it’s useful, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling great to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals 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 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 firmly insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became 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?’

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

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing blended 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 but 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 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 stated it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was stated but he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.

‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having excellent feedback from the group – even the people who don’t speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to develop 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 take a trip throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We have actually been having team meals and bonding which’s brought a great deal 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), 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 team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer desires to take us out. That’s another little bit of totally free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really great. It resembles one huge family.’

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

‘It reveals we have the ability to take on anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the 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