When footballers retire, they have multiple routes to choose from. Some work as coaches or specialists, while others decide to stay away from the sport. Few countries have played a leading role in tackling climate change and producing renewable energy, but this has been done by a retired footballer. Flamini has had a solid career with teams like Marseille, Arsenal and AC Milan, but what he did after hanging up his boots proved quite remarkable.
Flamini graduated from the Marseille Academy and entered the first team in 2003–04, where he played in the UEFA Cup final. This caught Arsene Wenger's attention, and Arsenal signed flamini on his first professional contract in his career, a move that angered then-Marseille manager Jose Anigo. Anigo said: "It was a huge betrayal. He took good advantage of our negligence. He didn't sign us on a professional contract, and the argument that he was afraid he wouldn't play enough games no longer holds. My outlook on life is no longer the same. Anigo's warning that Flamini would be difficult to get into the Gunners' first team initially proved inaccurate, as he played a key role in Arsenal's 2005-06 season after adapting for one season, playing 49 games in all competitions and reaching the Champions League final.
However, Flamini never really mastered the role of the core of the midfield, and his energy, intelligence and ability should have made him the ideal candidate. On the contrary, the flexibility of his position, combined with his strong work efficiency and team spirit, made him a useful man, deployed at the full-back and midfield wing, as well as his best position in the middle, with the Frenchman often playing as a substitute, while Fabregas and Gilberto Silva played the starting role. Flamini also had some glorious moments at Arsenal, such as his long-range shot against Newcastle in January 2008, which was rated as one of the 50 greatest goals in Arsenal history, but these are frustrating short memories for fans and players alike.
Flamini chose to leave at the end of his four-year contract, where he signed for Milan, where he still received enough attention, initially playing at right-back before being transferred to midfield. He helped Milan win the Serie A title in 2010–11, their last Serie A title to date. That summer, he missed almost the entire following season due to a knee injury. Released from his contract with Milan in 2013, he returned to Arsenal initially to train and stay fit, before he renewed his striker with the Gunners.
He was part of a team that won back-to-back FA Cups in 2014 and 2015, but was an unused substitute in both experiences and was also excluded from the Gunners' last title-winning game in 2005. Flamini left Arsenal again in 2016 – notably, he never played even a single Premier League game at home for the club – and after playing for Crystal Palace and Getafe, he retired from professional football to enter his second career full-time, which looks more meaningful than his first career.
In 2008, Flamini co-founded GF Biochemicals, the world's first company to mass-produce acetofen, which is considered the key to producing greener biofuels. It can also be used as biodegradable herbicides, as well as some other household items such as air fresheners and perfumes, as well as plastics and pharmaceuticals. As a true entrepreneur, Flamini is estimated to be worth around €20 million, enough to dwarf any Premier League player.
Flamini told British media in August 2020: "I grew up by the sea and I grew up seeing the impact of plastic in the water on the beach. It's horrible and makes you realize that if we don't change something, the place we live in will no longer be habitable. I wanted to know everything and was very curious. I always tell myself: 'If I do something else outside of football later, I want it to revolve around sustainability.' His success in the business world led Flamini to appear in discussions about Arsenal's future in November 2020, when discontent over Kroenke's ownership led the media to fabricate rumors that the former player might lead the acquisition of his former owner.
Although Flamini rejected claims of the acquisition at the time, he said it was possible to return to football at some point. He told the media: "Don't ask me how I'm going to get involved in football because it's not something I've thought about. But, without a doubt, this is an eternal part of my life. I will always want to be a part of this community. "It seems likely that Flamini will return to football at some point in the future – as he has played his part in ensuring that we all have a future to look forward to.