The three former Premier League stars are now worth an eye-watering amount of money
Chris Burns Senior Sports Writer
07:30, 26 Dec 2025
Mathieu Flamini of Arsenal during the Emirates FA Cup 5th Round replay between Hull City and Arsenal at the KC Stadium on March 8, 2016 in Hull, England
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Mathieu Flamini is now worth a staggering amount(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Reaching Premier League status typically signals the end of financial worries for footballers, given the enormous wages they command for playing the beautiful game.
Even post-retirement, many former stars transition into punditry, management or entrepreneurial ventures that prove highly profitable. Yet three ex-players from Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have achieved or are destined for remarkable riches beyond their playing days.
We take a look at three former Premier League stars who have amassed staggering wealth outside of football, ascending to billionaire status.
Mathieu Flamini
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Flamini established GF Biochemicals nine years prior to hanging up his boots. He later assumed the role of CEO and reportedly boasts a net worth of approximately £10 billion.
Following his retirement from the beautiful game, he adopted an increasingly active approach to business. Taking on the CEO position allowed him to secure a 60% shareholding that solidified his position as one of football's wealthiest former players.
Matthieu Flamini in a suit smiling and posing with his arms crossed
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Matthieu Flamini is the founder of GF Biochemicals(Image: © 2017 Bloomberg Finance LP)
GF Biochemicals strives to offer a greener substitute for petrochemicals, enabling product manufacturing whilst protecting the environment. Flamini has previously outlined his post-football career pivot, saying: "As a child I had two passions: football and sustainability."
The French midfielder featured 246 times across two stints with the Gunners, departing on a free transfer in 2017. The 41-year-old enjoyed two separate periods at Arsenal, initially from 2004 to 2008 before returning to the Emirates Stadium in 2013.
His Arsenal career yielded five pieces of silverware, comprising three FA Cups and two Community Shields. Arsenal wasn't his sole Premier League destination either, as the midfielder had a brief stint with Crystal Palace after his second departure from north London.
Faiq Bolkiah
Former Chelsea academy graduate Bolkiah is Prince Jefri Bolkiah's son and the Sultan of Brunei's nephew, with the Sultan reportedly worth approximately £37bn.
Bolkiah stands to inherit a £15bn fortune, dwarfing the wealth of football superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham and Lionel Messi. Ex-Chelsea teammate Ruben Sammut previously described Bolkiah as exceptionally down-to-earth.
Chelsea's U21 Faiq Bolkiah during a friendly match Under 21 match between Chelsea and Burnley at the Cobham Training Ground
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Faiq Bolkiah spent time at Chelsea in his youth(Image: Darren Walsh, Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Speaking to The Athletic, Sammut said: "You would never ever have thought he was something like the 12th in line to the throne. You would not have thought of him as royalty."
Following stints at Chelsea and Southampton, Bolkiah joined Leicester City but failed to make a first-team appearance during his four-year stay with the Foxes.
Upon leaving Britain, Bolkiah turned out for Portuguese side Maritimo before heading to Thailand, where he represented Chonburi FC and Ratchaburi. He has also been capped six times by Brunei at international level.
Louis Saha
The French forward, now aged 47, represented United between 2004 and 2008. His Old Trafford stint proved immensely fruitful, securing two Premier League crowns, the Champions League and League Cup under Sir Alex Ferguson's guidance.
Saha's enterprise 'AxisStars' now boasts an incredible valuation of £4.3bn. The venture, which he co-established alongside Kate Hamer, specialises in facilitating connections between "professional athletes and entertainers, their peers and trusted partners".
Louis Saha talks on stage
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Louis Saha is the founder & CEO of AxisStars(Image: Getty Images)
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Multiple reports suggest over 550 former athletes are affiliated with the organisation. Saha has acknowledged receiving numerous requests for guidance and openly admitted that launching AxisStars has eclipsed all his footballing achievements.
"I still get asked for advice by different people on a daily basis," he once told The Guardian. "For instance, my agent called me to say he had a talented French footballer who he wants to bring to England, and asked me for advice on how to create a tailor-made training programme. I put him in touch with people I used to work with."
Saha netted 42 times across 124 appearances, despite his Old Trafford stint being hampered by fitness issues. When he called time on his playing career in 2013 aged 35, Saha had turned out for Metz, Newcastle, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and Lazio.