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Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually 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 really plays a part (in revealing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder states.
‘My dad’s in your home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t wish to suffice off so I believed let’s do something different that no one else has. I actually informed the hair stylist to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the minute but I like it. My daddy’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 always had the frame of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football however has actually only revealed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and introducing his charitable structure, Project 17.
‘It’s constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s just just recently that I’ve been expressing myself a lot more, to reveal 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 says his multi-coloured braids have contributed 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 everything will be free in a local supermarket.
‘You know what Liverpool are like – it’s going to be an intense game but whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.
‘In your home I was raised in, my dad naturally simply returned. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would just purchase bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has actually motivated me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s only best with the influence I have that I return too.’
Through these off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has 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 child you wish to do your best to impress the manager and want everybody to understand you are completely focused on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being complimentary 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 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.’
One of those individuals 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 agrees.
The 28-year-old will feed 100 households 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 associated with a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it’s my best start to the season – I just have to keep it going and make sure it’s my best season. That’s the goal’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a manager who offers you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the 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 described as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing combined with Rap”.
It’s likewise a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season considering that 2003-04.
‘I don’t get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply 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 said it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was said however he enjoyed the beat. So it’s a win-win.
‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having good feedback from the team – even the people who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ includes Iwobi.
Silva’s plan at Everton was to construct 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 take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has been found after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.
‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely helping us this season. We’ve been having group meals and bonding and that’s brought a great deal 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 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 arranged a journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we’re all set 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 wants to take us out. That’s another bit of complimentary food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually good. It’s like one huge family.’
But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.
‘It reveals we have the capability to contend with anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the very 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 room.
FulhamAlex Iwobi
