Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
Alex Iwobi is talking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually helped his football in what he views as his best start to a season up until now.
‘Yeah, that really plays a part (in expressing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder states.
‘My papa’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 believed let’s do something different that no one else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the moment but I like it. My daddy’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 insists that he’s constantly had the mindset of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has actually only revealed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.
‘It’s constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s only just 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 five objectives in 15 matches
The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch improvement
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 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 complimentary in a regional grocery store.
‘You know what Liverpool are like – it’s going to be an extreme video game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.
‘In your home I was raised in, my father naturally simply returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually influenced me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s only right with the influence I have that I return also.’
Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already 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 desire to do your finest to impress the supervisor and want everybody to know you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) features age, being free and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it’s constructive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.
‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed 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.’
Among those people 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘best 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 insists that he’s always had the frame of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi became 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 been involved in a great deal of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it’s my finest start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and make certain it’s my best season. That’s the goal’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a manager who gives you the self-confidence to do that,’ he states.
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to release a single with his debut song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is explained as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined with Rap ».
It’s likewise 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 however 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 tune. 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 stated it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was stated 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 team – even individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ includes Iwobi.
Silva’s strategy 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 travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has been found after his ₤ 22M move last year.
‘Everyone’s frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that’s certainly helping us this season. We have actually been having group 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 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 again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we’re ready to fly and we can do anything together.’
Another group 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 bit of totally free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually great. It’s like one huge household.’
But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having 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 reveals we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact same against Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,’ Iwobi insists.
Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot’s league-leaders might well be hearing ‘What’s Luv’ blasting out from the away dressing room.
FulhamAlex Iwobi
