Yohaig News

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 actually helped his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

‘Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in expressing myself),’ the Fulham midfielder states.

‘My dad’s in your home and he’s most likely 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 ‘reveal yourself’ but not too wild. It’s wild due to the fact that it’s red and purple at the moment but I like it. My father’s accepted it now so I’m easy.’

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 always had the state of mind of sensation like there’s more to life than football however has actually just expressed 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 pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it’s just recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old states his multi-coloured braids have actually added to his on-pitch improvement

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 Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his home town, where whatever will be in a regional supermarket.

‘You know what Liverpool are like – it’s going to be an extreme game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,’ Iwobi tensions.

‘In the home I was raised in, my papa naturally simply gave back. To individuals in Nigeria, to his household and even individuals in the street – he would just buy bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and daddy are has actually influenced me to provide to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I feel like it’s just ideal with the influence I have that I give back as well.’

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the trick to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually currently 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 youngster you wish to do your best to impress the supervisor and desire everybody to know you are completely concentrated on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being totally free and not being pressed about unfavorable remarks. If it’s positive, you don’t mind the criticism,’ he states.

‘You need to be strong mentally. Players do well when they’re confident and with me, feeling confident to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost 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 hesitate when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi’s ‘finest season in the Premier League up until now’ and he concurs.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi firmly insists that he’s always had the state of mind of feeling like there’s more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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 actually been included in a lot of goals, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You might say it’s my best start to the season – I just have to keep it going and ensure it’s my best season. That’s the aim’ says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him ‘the license to reveal’ himself. ‘It’s good to have a manager who offers you the self-confidence to do that,’ he states.

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the 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 explained as a celebration of his African roots with a blend 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 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 reveals.

‘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 said it wasn’t bad. I understand the very first time he didn’t comprehend 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 group – even the individuals who don’t speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they’re vibing too,’ adds Iwobi.

Silva’s strategy at Everton was to construct around the midfielder but 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 take a trip 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 actually been uncovered after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

‘Everyone’s mindset is one for all and all for one so that’s definitely helping us this season. We have actually been having group meals and bonding and that’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 cut out as Fulham take on 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 again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we’re prepared to fly and we can do anything together.’

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 games in seven days over Christmas. ‘The gaffer wishes to take us out. That’s another little totally free food so I’m not complaining,’ jokes Iwobi. ‘It’s actually great. It resembles one huge household.’

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola was complete of credit for Fulham.

‘It reveals we have the capability to compete with anyone. 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 space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi