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 hairstyle has actually assisted his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.
‘Yeah, that actually 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 my hair. I got tired and didn’t want to suffice off so I believed let’s do something different that nobody else has. I literally told 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 father’s accepted it now so I’m simple.’
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 constantly had the frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has only revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.
‘It’s always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s just just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals 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 5 objectives in 15 matches
The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have contributed to his on-pitch enhancement
It’s a plain 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 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 home town, where whatever will be complimentary in a local supermarket.
‘You understand what Liverpool are like – 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 the home I was raised in, my dad naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street – he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has actually inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it’s only ideal with the impact I have that I return as well.’
Through these initiatives 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 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
‘As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everyone to know you are fully concentrated on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it’s constructive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.
‘You have 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 practically feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it truly 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 think twice when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said 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 state of mind of feeling 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 debut tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released 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 need to keep it going and ensure it’s my finest season. That’s the aim’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a manager who offers you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is explained as an event 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 best start to a top-flight season since 2003-04.
‘I do not get it on in the dressing space but 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 just vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He stated it wasn’t bad. I know the first time he didn’t comprehend what was stated however he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.
‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having great feedback from the group – even the individuals who don’t speak English as their first language like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ adds Iwobi.
Silva’s plan at Everton was to build around the midfielder however he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly played him at all.
Iwobi would travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that joy has actually been found after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.
‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s absolutely assisting us this season. We’ve been having team meals and bonding which’s brought a lot of togetherness, says 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 eat. 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 seem like we’re all set to fly and we can do anything together.’
Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little complimentary food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually good. It resembles one big household.’
But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently and directly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.
‘It shows we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ 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
