Former footballer Mathieu Flamini, now a biotech billionaire worth £10 billion, met with King Charles III to advocate for urgent European investment in sustainable green chemistry and climate innovation.
Former Arsenal and France midfielder Mathieu Flamini met with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace this week to discuss the future of the global bioeconomy. Flamini, now 42, has transitioned from a successful football career to becoming the world’s richest footballer, with an estimated net worth of £10 billion—roughly ten times that of Cristiano Ronaldo. As the CEO of GFBiochemicals, a company he co-founded in 2008, Flamini has become a prominent figure in climate innovation, focusing on sustainable alternatives to fossil-fuel-based products.
During the summit, Flamini shared insights on the urgent need for Europe to reclaim its industrial edge through “green chemistry.” In a social media post featuring a photograph of him shaking hands with the King, Flamini warned that while the U.S. and China are accelerating their biotech efforts, Europe’s chemical market share is shrinking. He advocated for bold policy actions, such as extending the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to chemicals and set a target for 30% bio-based demand by 2030, asserting that innovation is the only way for the continent to remain competitive.
Beyond his chemical empire, Flamini remains an active advocate for sustainability within the sports world, pushing for eco-friendly jersey production and reduced travel emissions. He previously co-founded the supplement brand UNITY with former teammate Mesut Özil and is a member of the King’s Circular Bioeconomy Alliance. Flamini credits his long playing career to a plant-based lifestyle he adopted at 15 and continues to warn that environmental pollution poses a direct threat to the future of professional sports and youth participation.