Billionaire former Arsenal star meets King Charles after swapping careers | Football | Sport

Mathieu Flamini, the former Arsenal midfielder, recently had the opportunity to meet King Charles while representing the company that made him a billionaire. He was one of the Gunners’ top midfielders during the 2000s, winning three FA Cups across his two spells in north London. Flamini retired from football in 2019 and is now worth billions after making a drastic career change.

Back in 2008, he co-founded biochemicals company GF Biochemicals alongside Pasquale Granata. Flamini took a hands-on role following his retirement, becoming chief executive with a 60 per cent stake which saw him accumulate a reported £10billion. He is now believed to have a net worth surpassing that of Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke.

Flamini’s incredible wealth is not the only thing he can brag about, though. He recently shook hands with the King after receiving a special invitation to meet him at Buckingham Palace.

Taking to Instagram, Flamini said: “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.”

Flamini’s company aims to provide a green alternative to petrochemicals so they can manufacture products whilst protecting the environment.

They were among the first to produce levulinic acid, which dramatically reduces the amount of carbon dioxide produced from manufacturing products like detergents and skincare.

Flamini previously opened up on his unusual career change, saying: “As a child I had two passions: football and sustainability.

“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.”

Flamini is working harder than ever following his retirement from football, with the Frenchman committed to ensuring the continued success of his company.

“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.”