Lion King Itoje
Lion King Itoje: As Maro Itoje prepares to lead the British and Irish Lions on their tour of Australia, the towering lock forward finds solace in two constants: faith and his barber’s chair.
From a much-hyped teenager to a seasoned 30-year-old veteran, Itoje’s journey has been closely witnessed by Moussa, his long-time barber. One of his final appointments before departure? A fresh trim for the Lions’ new captain.
“It’s been a while,” Itoje reflects on his relationship with Moussa. “Going on tour is always a challenge—especially trusting a new barber in Australia. I’m not sure they’re too experienced with Afro-Caribbean hair!”
Faith as a Foundation
For Itoje, faith isn’t just a personal belief—it’s a guiding force in his career. Unlike former Labour strategist Alastair Campbell, who once quipped. “We don’t do God,” Itoje wears his spirituality proudly.
At his Lions captaincy unveiling in May, he admitted to missing Bible study to attend the press conference. When named England captain earlier this year. His pastor was among the first six people he informed.
“God’s timing is always the best time,” Itoje says, reflecting on his rise to leadership.
From Lukewarm to Deep Commitment
The Saracens star admits he wasn’t always as devout. “I was probably a lukewarm Christian for much of my life—going to church. But not deeply living its principles,” he tells BBC Sport. “But I’ve always been a believer.”
That belief now shapes his approach to leadership and life. “The humility I try to embody comes from knowing everything. I have is a gift—not by my own doing, but by the guy upstairs.”
A Calmer, Wiser Leader
Itoje acknowledges that his younger self—the 22-year-old who electrified the 2017 Lions tour in New Zealand—was “a little brash and naive.” Now, amid the hype of captaincy, he’s focused on maintaining his calm and routine.
With faith as his anchor and a fresh cut from Moussa, the Lion King is ready to roar—on his own terms.
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