Watch: Football Ninja Alex Iwobi reveals how he hides to play five-aside football

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has revealed that he often dresses as a ninja to play five-aside football with his friends to avoid getting discovered, Soccernet.ng reports.

Iwobi is having a good season with Fulham, producing seven goals and three assists in 27 appearances. The Nigerian has become an important part of coach Marco Silva’s lineup at Craven Cottage.

Off the pitch, the 27-year-old has proven to be someone who loves to be with family and friends. Iwobi often shares pictures of himself with members of his family and his friends on social media.

Recently, he also revealed how he often disguises himself to play five-aside football with his friends and strangers to hide his identity.

Professional football is very methodical, and it could be demanding to play at a very high level consistently for a long time. But Iwobi often plays five-aside football to keep his love for the game.

“Even in seasons like now, I’ll probably go and play (five-aside football) with my friends just to keep myself enjoying football because obviously football can be a bit stressful, you don’t win every game, you don’t play well every time,” Iwobi told the Fulham Fix podcast.

“But when I play with my friends, it’s like I go and express myself. That is what I do with my friends. So even this season, there’s been a few times I’ve done it.

“I usually use a disguise, it would literally be all black, will be nike kit, you won’t even see my skin. I’ll wear a snood over my face and a hat to hide my hair. When I get too hot, I take off.

“I play dressed up as a ninja or a balaclava, you can only see my eyes and hands. On the pitch, I’ve been called John, Kevin, or my friends call me 17 sometimes.”

Alex Iwobi is a secret Football ninja pic.twitter.com/t1MPMv7eUj

— Big Boys Soccer Talks (@bbsts_) February 27, 2025

Soccer Alex Iwobi looking to end the campaign on a high with Fulham

The Cottagers have had a good season, as they sit 9th, five points behind a Champions League qualification spot.

Alex Iwobi can afford to dream with his Fulham side as they have shown that they can hold their own against the Premier League big boys.

If they can sneak into one of the Champions League qualification spots, it will be a big achievement for the club and the players. Iwobi has scored seven Premier League goals for the first time in his life. He can fancy changing it to double figures before the campaign ends.