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

Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually helped his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

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

‘My papa’s in your house 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 believed let’s do something different that no one else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to ‘express yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the moment 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 firmly insists that he’s constantly had the mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football but has actually just revealed himself more over the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

‘It’s constantly 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 show individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

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 added to his on-pitch improvement

It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired teen who made his debut 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 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 complimentary in a local supermarket.

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

‘In your home I was raised in, my papa naturally simply provided back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street – he would simply buy bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has motivated me to give to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s only ideal with the impact I have that I return as well.’

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 goals 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 youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everyone to understand you are fully on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being complimentary and not being pushed about unfavorable comments. If it’s positive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people 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 hesitate when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League up until now’ 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 state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the 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?’

‘I have actually been associated with a great deal of goals, 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 sure it’s my best season. That’s the objective’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s great to have a supervisor who gives you the confidence to do that,’ he says.

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?’ which is explained as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing combined 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 given that 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 assist himself, Iwobi reveals.

‘He is tapping the supervisor 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 resembled ‘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 took pleasure in 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 do not speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ includes Iwobi.

Silva’s plan at Everton was to build around the midfielder but 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 disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly assisting us this season. We’ve been having team 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 on in 2023

Iwobi will have his work eliminated as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

‘Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went once 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 video games in 7 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 actually good. It’s like one huge household.’

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

‘It shows we have the ability to take on anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the same versus 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