Iwobi Open 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 assisted his football in what he views as his best start to a Premier League season so far.
‘Yeah, that actually plays a part (in expressing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder says.
‘My papa’s in the home and he’s probably heard me. He didn’t like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn’t want to cut it off so I thought let’s do something different that no one else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild since 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 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 frame of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football but has actually just expressed himself more recently, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing singles and releasing 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 have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he states.
Alexi Iwobi has actually made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives 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 teenager 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 households for Christmas as part of Project 17.
For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his home town, where everything will be totally free in a regional grocery store.
‘You know what Liverpool resemble – it’s going to be an extreme video game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,’ Iwobi stresses.
‘In your house I was raised in, my father naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even individuals in the street – he would just purchase bottles of water and offer them to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has motivated me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it’s just best with the impact I have that I give back as well.’
Through these initiatives 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 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 finest to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it’s positive, you do not mind the criticism,’ he states.
‘You have to be strong psychologically. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have people that back you, it really 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 hesitate when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva said it was Iwobi’s ‘finest 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 ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching song ‘Don’t Shoot’ and in November launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’
‘I have actually been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could say it’s my finest start to the season – I simply have to keep it going and make sure it’s my best season. That’s the objective’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for offering him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s nice to have a supervisor who provides you the 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 launched a follow-up ‘What’s Luv?’ which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing mixed 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 given that 2003-04.
‘I do not get it on in the dressing space however when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can’t assist 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 just vibing like, ‘is this Alex?’ and Calvin was like ‘yes it’s Alex!’ He stated it wasn’t bad. I know the very first time he didn’t comprehend 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 individuals who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing also,’ adds Iwobi.
Silva’s plan at Everton was to develop around the midfielder but he was sacked four 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 throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that delight has been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation last year.
‘Everyone’s state 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, says Iwobi.
Marco Silva first 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 journey to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re ready to fly and we can do anything together.’
Another group meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another bit of totally free food so I’m not grumbling,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s truly great. 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 lots of credit for Fulham.
‘It reveals we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not frightened. Hopefully it will be the exact 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 space.
FulhamAlex Iwobi
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