Arsenal hero retired and made billions before hatching takeover plan | Football | Sport
Former Arsenal star turned billionaire Mathieu Flamini has expressed his desire to buy out the Gunners’ owners, the Kroenke family. Flamini, who retired from gaming in 2019, achieved remarkable success in the business world by co-founding GFBiochemicals. His stake in the company is now more than half, taking his net worth to an astonishing £10 billion, according to Forbes.
Earlier this year, the same US business magazine valued Arsenal at £2.6 billion, suggesting Flamini, 41, could potentially buy the club twice. The former AC Milan midfielder has already hinted at his interest in managing a club close to his heart, such as Arsenal or his childhood team, Marseille.
Speaking to The Athletic in 2023, he said: “Football is the No.1 sport, it attracts so much attention, the burning issues of this world should also be on the agenda of the governing bodies.
“It’s a world I belong to. If there is the right opportunity at the right time and the right discussion, if I meet people who share the same vision, the same mindset and the same desire to use football for a purpose, I would love it. Obviously these clubs (Arsenal and Marseille) have a special place in my heart.
“I never forget where I came from. In life you never know, but it’s all about the right opportunity. I really believe in the right time, the right place, the right people. We’ll see what the future holds. I’m a believer. If you really want something, the universe usually brings it to you. Let’s see what the universe brings you.”
Interestingly, Flamini credits his work ethic to two of his former Arsenal colleagues, Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp.
“I learned to work. Work is very important and they gave everything in training,” he shared. “Every little game was a fight, every little game was important to win and since then I have felt the same way. Every game has to be won. The winning mentality is something I remember well.
“I was very impressed because they were already top players and it was a chance to be with them every day, to play with them and learn from them. I felt lucky but I wanted to be part of this group.”
Despite these comments, there is no indication that owner Stan Kroenke is ready to sell at this time. For now, Flamini is focusing on GFBiochemicals.
He said: “We founded GF Biochemicals with the ambition to find sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based products. »
The company is committed to developing environmentally friendly substitutes for potentially harmful petrochemicals found in everyday items, including plastic, rubber and even bath gel.
Flamini previously dismissed the idea of ​​football ownership, saying: “Don’t ask me how I’m going to get involved in football, because it’s not something I’ve thought about. But it’s definitely something I’ve been a part of forever in my life. I would always want to be part of this community.”