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Former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini has met King Charles III while representing the pioneering biochemical company that made him a billionaire. Once a key figure in Arsenal’s midfield during the 2000s, Flamini lifted three FA Cups over two spells with the Gunners before retiring from football in 2019 and embarking on a new path that would transform his life.
Flamini’s success story began in 2008 when he co-founded GF Biochemicals with Pasquale Granata. Following his retirement, he became deeply involved in the company’s operations, taking over as chief executive and securing a 60 percent ownership stake. That decision paid off handsomely, with his fortune now estimated at around £10 billion, a figure believed to exceed the net worth of Arsenal’s majority owner, Stan Kroenke.
His work in sustainability recently brought him to Buckingham Palace, where he met King Charles after being invited to join discussions on the future of the global bioeconomy.
Sharing the proud moment on Instagram, Flamini wrote:“Last week, I had the honour of joining the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance, where global leaders and Indigenous voices are shaping the future of the bioeconomy. Proud that GFBiochemicals stood alongside visionaries building a sustainable world under the guidance of His Majesty King Charles III.”
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GF Biochemicals focuses on creating environmentally friendly alternatives to petrochemicals, allowing industries to produce everyday goods without damaging the planet. The company was among the first to manufacture levulinic acid, a compound that helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions during the production of items like detergents and skincare products.
Flamini has often spoken about how his passion for sustainability began long before his business ventures.
“As a child I had two passions: football and sustainability,” he once revealed. “I grew up in Marseille near the sea, and was aware of the environmental questions around ocean plastics and chemical pollution from a very young age.
“We didn’t know if it’d be energy, chemical or urban recycling, and we just ended up meeting with a team of scientists in Milan and started moving in that direction.”
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Even in retirement, Flamini’s dedication hasn’t waned. He admits his workload as an entrepreneur now rivals the intensity of his football career.
“Now the question is when do I not work,” he said. “When you’re an entrepreneur you have to be dedicated and you don’t count the hours. I’m not working when I sleep, but for the rest of the time I’m available.”
From controlling the midfield at the Emirates to championing a greener planet, Flamini’s evolution from footballer to eco-innovator stands as one of sport’s most remarkable post-retirement success stories.
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