Mathieu Flamini built his second career before the first had finished. The former France midfielder, now 42 and retired from football since 2019, has reflected on how a long-running interest in the environment led him into the green-chemicals industry while he was still playing at AC Milan.
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Flamini co-founded GFBiochemicals in 2013, using time away from training and matches to develop a business far removed from the dressing room. The company produces levulinic acid, a biomass-derived molecule intended to provide an alternative to certain petroleum-based materials.
The former Arsenal and AC Milan player said environmental issues had interested him from an early age, alongside his commitment to football.
“When I was young, I had the chance to understand the harmful impact humans can have on the planet,” Flamini said. “That interest grew alongside my passion for football. At one point, I wanted to give that other passion room as well.”
Rather than treating breaks in his playing schedule as purely downtime, Flamini said he used travel and free afternoons to learn more about the sector and advance the project.
“After naps, some players might play PlayStation, go shopping or take a walk,” he said. “I chose a slightly different path: to learn and develop myself.”
For Flamini, the work also offered a release from the demands attached to elite football. He believes players can benefit from having an outlet beyond the pitch, particularly during difficult periods.
“Being able to express yourself away from football can help you step back, then return stronger after injuries or spells when things are not going well,” he said.
His early move into business has brought substantial financial success, with estimates placing his wealth in the billions of euros. Flamini insisted, however, that money was not the reason he entered the field.
He described his current position as an unlikely twist: chemistry and English were the two school subjects he enjoyed least, yet he now works predominantly in English while leading a green-chemicals group.
