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 hairdo 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 expressing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder states.
‘My papa’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 cut it off so I thought let’s do something various that no one else has. I actually informed the hairdresser to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild because it’s red and purple at the moment however 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 state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football however has just expressed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.
‘It’s always been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it’s only just recently that I have actually been expressing 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 goals in 15 matches
The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have actually added 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 handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday and on Sunday, he will be back in London feeding 100 households 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 grocery store.
‘You understand what Liverpool are like – it’s going to be an extreme 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 father naturally simply offered back. To people in Nigeria, to his household and even people in the street – he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and papa are has actually inspired me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s just best with the impact I have that I provide back also.’
Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently scored more goals 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 child you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everybody to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative comments. If it’s constructive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.
‘You need to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling positive to reveal myself on and off the pitch, I nearly 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 opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated 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 insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’
‘I have actually been included in a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it’s my finest start to the season – I simply need to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the aim’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a manager who provides you the self-confidence to do that,’ he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching tune and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is described as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined 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 given that 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 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 just vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin was like ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He said it wasn’t bad. I know the very first time he didn’t understand what was said but he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.
‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having great feedback from the team – even individuals who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ includes Iwobi.
Silva’s strategy at Everton was to construct 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 throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football once again. Now that delight has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M move 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 team 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 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 consume. 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 feel like we’re prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’
Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in 7 days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer desires to take us out. That’s another little complimentary food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s really good. It resembles one big household.’
But first, 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 had lots of credit for Fulham.
‘It reveals we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the 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 room.
FulhamAlex Iwobi
