Iwobi Opens up on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him
Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually helped his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season up until now.
‘Yeah, that actually plays a part (in revealing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder says.
‘My dad’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 wish to cut it off so I thought let’s do something various that nobody else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that it’s red and purple at the minute but I like it. My papa’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 insists that he’s constantly had the state 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 singles 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 only recently that I’ve been expressing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he states.
Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with five goals in 15 matches
The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually contributed to his on-pitch enhancement
It’s a plain 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 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 17.
For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where everything will be complimentary in a regional grocery store.
‘You understand what Liverpool are like – it’s going to be an intense game but whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.
‘In the house I was raised in, my dad naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street – he would just purchase bottles of water and give them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually influenced me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less lucky. With the position I am in, I feel like it’s just ideal with the impact I have that I provide back also.’
Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has currently scored more objectives than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 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 totally focused on football. But it (freedom) includes age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable comments. If it’s useful, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he says.
‘You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they’re confident and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it truly plays a part.’
Among those individuals that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn’t hesitate when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton recently, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘best 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 firmly insists that he’s constantly had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very 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 actually been involved in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could state it’s my finest start to the season – I just have to keep it going and ensure it’s my finest season. That’s the goal’ states Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to express’ himself. ‘It’s good 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 launch a single with his launching tune ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November released a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is described as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap”.
It’s also a tune that Silva’s enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season since 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 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 know the very first time he didn’t comprehend what was said 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 individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ adds 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 take a trip across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that joy has been discovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.
‘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 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 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 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 ready to fly and we can do anything together.’
Another group 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 great. It’s like one huge household.’
But first, 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 lots of credit for Fulham.
‘It reveals we have the capability to take on anybody. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the very 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 space.
FulhamAlex Iwobi