Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Helped Him
Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has assisted his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.
‘Yeah, that really plays a part (in expressing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder says.
‘My daddy’s in your house 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 believed let’s do something different that nobody else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to ‘express yourself’ however not too wild. It’s wild since it’s red and purple at the moment however I like it. My daddy’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 that he’s constantly had the mindset of sensation 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 singles and introducing his charitable foundation, Project 17.
‘It’s always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s only recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.
Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches
The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually added to his on-pitch improvement
It’s a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his launching under Arsene Wenger
This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated as Fulham take on 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 hometown, where everything will be free in a regional supermarket.
‘You understand what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an extreme game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.
‘In your home I was raised in, my papa naturally just returned. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street – he would just purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has inspired me to provide to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s only ideal with the impact I have that I give back also.’
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more goals than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is just two points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
‘As a child you want to do your best to impress the manager and want everybody to understand you are totally focused on football. But it (flexibility) includes age, being complimentary and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it’s constructive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he says.
‘You have to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I nearly feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really 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 chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton recently, 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 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17
Iwobi insists that he’s constantly had the mindset of feeling like there’s more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to release 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 goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it’s my finest start to the season – I just need to keep it going and make sure it’s my finest season. That’s the goal’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a manager who gives you the confidence to do that,’ he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very 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 referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed with Rap”.
It’s also a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their finest start to a top-flight season because 2003-04.
‘I do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can’t help 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 simply vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin resembled ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He said it wasn’t bad. I know the very first time he didn’t understand what was stated however he delighted in the beat. So it’s a win-win.
‘Everyone vibes with it and I’m having excellent feedback from the team – even the individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing as well,’ adds Iwobi.
Silva’s strategy at Everton was to develop 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 pleasure 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 absolutely assisting us this season. We’ve been having team meals and bonding which’s brought a great deal 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 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), came back 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 team meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in 7 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 truly good. It’s like one big family.’
But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal last week and directly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola was full of credit for Fulham.
‘It shows we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not scared. Hopefully it will be the 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 space.
FulhamAlex Iwobi
