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 finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My dad’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 want to cut it off so I thought let’s do something different that nobody else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the minute 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 debut under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi insists that he’s always had the mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has just expressed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.

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

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest 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 plain contrast from the short-haired teen 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 whatever will be free in a regional grocery store.

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

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

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

‘As a youngster you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and want everybody to understand you are completely concentrated on football. But it (liberty) includes age, being free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it’s useful, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.

‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re positive and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 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 so far’ and he agrees.

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

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s always had the frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very 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 involved in a great deal 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 just need to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a manager who gives you the confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being 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 referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap”.

It’s also a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season considering that 2003-04.

‘I do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply 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 simply 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 however he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.

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

Silva’s plan 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 barely played him at all.

Iwobi would take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.

‘Everyone’s state of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding which’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 cut out as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We organised a trip 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 group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wants to take us out. That’s another little bit of complimentary food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually great. It resembles one huge household.’

But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and directly 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 contend with anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact 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