Former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini has revealed how his choice of pastime during his playing days enabled him to build an enormous fortune beyond football. While numerous team-mates opted to unwind, Flamini was determined to expand his knowledge and had already achieved remarkable success in another sector before retiring from the game.
Career and Early Success
The ex-France international joined the Gunners as a promising midfielder from Marseille in 2004. During two stints with Arsenal, he secured three FA Cups, appeared in the 2006 Champions League final and collected the club's player of the year accolade. The 42-year-old enjoyed a career that most footballers would envy, yet Flamini declined to relax between training sessions and fixtures.
He co-founded GF Biochemicals and established the green energy firm in 2013 while representing Italian giants AC Milan. Flamini originally remained discreet about his commercial endeavour as he balanced serving as CEO of a business reportedly valued at more than £10billion with competing in Serie A.
Environmental Influence and Education
His environmental commitment was influenced during childhood by collecting plastic on beaches alongside his father, prompting him to pursue the topic rather than shopping or gaming during his downtime from football.
"From a very young age, I had the opportunity to understand the negative impact humans have on the planet," Flamini told L'Express. "I wanted to pursue this second passion alongside football. Having the chance to express myself off the pitch offers an escape, a way to clear my head."
"An athlete's life revolves around training and matches, but also rest and recovery. That leaves time for naps; while some players might choose to play PlayStation or go shopping after a nap, I decided to take a different path, to learn and grow by helping to build this company."
Flamini remembered having a strong dislike for both chemistry and English during his days in school, subjects which now feature prominently in his working life. "I had to educate myself, be extremely curious, and surround myself with the right people," he explained. "There's a saying I like: if you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room."
Transition to Business and Future Plans
After officially retiring from football in 2020, Flamini maintains there are several ways his athletic background has enabled him to thrive in an entirely different sector. "An athlete is a bit like an entrepreneur or the CEO of a major company," Flamini said. "You have to know how to handle immense pressure and give your all every day."
"Then there's the team spirit. I've never seen a company succeed with just one person; it's about the group, the collective, the team spirit, you have to know how to communicate a mission and a vision so that everyone moves in the same direction."
"Now, I am living out my second passion and have a reason to live. I am someone who looks forward, not back. I am privileged. I was incredibly lucky to be able to make a living from a passion for so long, a childhood dream."
In 2023, Flamini admitted that he would be open to purchasing one of his former clubs, either Arsenal or Marseille, if the opportunity were to arise. He told The Athletic: "Football is the No.1 sport, it is driving so much attention, the hot issues of this world should also be on the agenda of the governing bodies."
"It’s a world that I belong to. If there is the right opportunity at the right time and the right discussion, if I meet people who are the same vision and mindset and desire to use football for a purpose, I would love to. Obviously, those clubs [Arsenal and Marseille] have a special place in my heart."
"I never forget where I come from. In life, you never know, but it’s all about the right opportunity. I’m a real believer in the right time, right place, right people. We’ll see what the future is made of. I’m a believer. If you want something very much, the universe usually brings it to you. Let's see what the universe will bring."
