(Mathieu Flamini with AC Milan against his former team, Arsenal)

Meet the World's Richest Footballer... A Name You Won't Believe

It seems that former Arsenal player, Frenchman Mathieu Flamini, is the world's richest footballer, having amassed a huge fortune from a business venture after his retirement, according to British press reports.

Flamini, 42, has accumulated a substantial fortune since retiring in 2019, after playing for Marseille, AC Milan, Crystal Palace, and Getafe. Following his co-founding of GF Biochemicals, a company specializing in developing sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel-based products, in 2008, the company has experienced significant growth in recent years.

A Huge Fortune

Flamini, who serves as CEO, has an estimated net worth of £10 billion and has become a leading voice in climate innovation and environmental responsibility. Earlier this week, Flamini shared photos of what appeared to be a summit with King Charles and business leaders in the sector.

Meanwhile, GF Biochemicals' reputation for sustainability has been bolstered by its pioneering production of levulinic acid, which reduces carbon dioxide emissions from the manufacture of products like detergents by up to 80%.

Mathieu Flamini with former Arsenal players

The Daily Mail also reported that Flamini co-founded a supplement line called Unity with his former Arsenal teammate, Mesut Özil, developed in collaboration with scientists from the University of Westminster.

The 42-year-old said he was inspired by his upbringing as a football fan and sustainability advocate. Flamini said: "Growing up in Marseille, near the sea, I was aware of environmental issues related to plastics in the oceans and chemical pollution from a young age."

He added: “We didn’t know if it was about recycling energy, chemicals, or urban waste, and we ended up meeting with a team of scientists in Milan and started working in that direction.”

Flamini is a strong advocate for a healthy lifestyle and has followed a vegan diet since he was 15. He believes this lifestyle has contributed to his long and successful football career. He also seeks to promote sustainability in football, from how jerseys are produced to how fans travel to matches.