Mathieu Flamini: The former Arsenal player whose billion-dollar empire could save the world

Mathieu Flamini enjoyed a successful career as a football player, representing English football giants Arsenal and Italian giants AC Milan, as well as time in the French national side.

The dogged midfielder was a regular fixture under Arsene Wenger and enjoyed two spells with Arsenal, winning three FA Cups and losing a Champions League Final.

After his first move away from Arsenal to AC Milan in the Summer of 2008, he and his friend Pasquale Granata met with academics and scientists to explore the field of sustainability.

They narrowed their focus to 'green chemistry' and founded the company 'GFBiochemicals.' The company was created to find out how to mass produce from agricultural waste products.

His company is the leading global producer of Levulinic Acid, one of the 12 molecules that can unlock the world to a 'greener' planet, according to the US Department of Energy.

His company's ambition has been to find sustainable alternatives for oil-based products, turning the world away from fossil fuels.

According to wired.co.uk, Flamini stated that his company has done a life-cycle analysis on his plant-based solvent and showed he can cut CO2 emissions by 80% compared to its fossil fuel equivalent.

Saving the planet and dealing with climate change are two key agendas that the world is focusing on right now, and Flamini is one of the driving leaders in helping the world shift to renewable sources.

According to mundodeportivo.com, Flamini said: "I grew up in Marseille, near the sea, and from a very young age, I was aware of environmental issues around ocean plastics and chemical pollution."

Despite playing for some of the biggest football clubs in the world, the former French midfielder made a drop in the ocean compared to what he is worth today.

In 2020, Forbes estimated that the former midfielder was worth around $10 billion from his business venture with GFBiochemicals.

His net worth is roughly around the same as Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke. Is a potential takeover of his former club on the cards?

All year, there has been speculation of the Kroenke Group selling the club, with Spotify owner Daniel Ek being heavily linked to buying the club.

According to fourfourtwo.com, speaking on potential football club ownership, Flamini said: "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."

"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."

From a warrior on the pitch, Mathieu Flamini has become a warrior in leading the world to a brighter and greener future. Once he has achieved that, owning Arsenal could cap off a professional career for the ages.