:Mathieu Flamini

Born in Marseille, Flamini was a youth team player for his local professional club Marseille. He made his debut for the senior team on 20 December 2003 in the 1–0 victory over Toulouse. He impressed the team as a hardworking midfield player and played 14 times for the club. However, it was his performances in Marseille’s UEFA Cup campaign that brought him to the attention of the football world, including the 2–0 semi-final victory over Newcastle United. He then started in the Final in Gothenburg, a match Spanish club Valencia won 2–0. Due to his age, however, Marseille was later unable to offer him a long-term professional contract.

On 23 July 2004, Flamini signed a professional contract for English club Arsenal, rejecting Marseille's long-term senior contract offer to which he had already verbally agreed. Soon after the incident, then-Marseille manager José Anigo stated, "This is a beautiful treason. He used me."{{cite web | url = http://www.eurosport.fr/football/transferts1/2004/flamini-file-a-l-anglaise_sto616272/story.shtml | publisher = Eurosport | title = Flamini file à l'anglaise |language = fr |date = 22 July 2004 | access-date = 21 June 2012 }} Arsenal were eventually ordered by The Dispute Resolution Chamber of FIFA to pay Marseille a compensation fee of €480 000 for Flamini.{{cite news|last=Baron|first=Thomas (15 October 2010)|url=http://www.eurosport.fr/football/transferts/2014-2015/transferts-arsenal-flaire-le-bon-coup-stephane-sparagna-olympique-de-marseille_sto4438970/story.shtml|title=Transferts – Arsenal flaire le bon coup Stéphane Sparagna (Olympique de Marseille)|language=fr|website=Euro Sport |access-date=17 May 2016}}

Flamini made his Arsenal debut in the 1–4 win at Everton on 15 August 2004. In his first season, he was typically used as a utility player, starting only nine games but used as a substitute in 12. The following season saw him filling in for a number of injured players, but again unable to command a first team place in his favoured position. He scored his first Arsenal goal on 11 May 2005 in a 7–0 home win against Everton, scoring the seventh goal, the team's last-ever goal scored in their traditional red and white kit at Highbury.

In the 2006–07 season, Flamini scored the winning goal against Dinamo Zagreb in the qualifying stages of the UEFA Champions League. He also scored important goals against Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool in the Premier League. Despite these important goals, however, he remained unsatisfied with his "utility player" role at the club and in April 2007, he admitted that he would most likely be leaving Arsenal in the summer. Flamini, however, turned down a proposed £3m move to Birmingham City and remained with the team.

Flamini started in central midfield for Arsenal's first match of the 2007–08 Premier League season due to the absence of Gilberto Silva and Abou Diaby. During Arsenal's 2007–08 campaign, he struck up a strong partnership with Cesc Fàbregas, keeping Gilberto out of the starting XI with displays widely regarded by Arsenal fans as a vast improvement on those during his previous years at the club. Flamini enjoyed a generally good rapport with Arsenal's fans, who provided him with his own song, an adaptation of the theme tune to British television programme The Sweeney. On 29 January 2008, he scored an extraordinary {{convert|25|yd|adj=on}} strike in Arsenal's 3–0 win over Newcastle United in the Premier League. He played on 8 April 2008, a UEFA Champions League match in which Arsenal were knocked out by English rival Liverpool. After the match, he was reported injured and it proved to be his last match for Arsenal.{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=738435.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411110625/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=738435.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 April 2008|title=Flamini out for three weeks|agency=AFP |date=10 April 2008|access-date=15 May 2008}} In April 2009, he stated in an interview that he is still an Arsenal fan and that he has no hard feelings towards the club: "Arsenal are in my heart and they will be in my heart for ever," he said. "I will always be an Arsenal fan and leaving was not easy."{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/8010235.stm|title=Mathieu Flamini interview |date=23 April 2009|work=BBC Sport |access-date=23 April 2009}}

File:David Beckham of AC Milan, April 19, 2009.jpg and Filippo Inzaghi in action for Milan, celebrating a goal against Torino in the Serie A, at the San Siro.]]

Flamini signed a contract with Italian club Milan on 5 May 2008.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/young-gunner-flamini-agrees--to-join-milan-1360892.html|title=Young Gunner Flamini agrees to join Milan|work=Independent |location=UK |access-date=28 April 2008|first=Jason|last=Burt|date=28 April 2008}}{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/7383314.stm |work=BBC News | title=Flamini seals switch to AC Milan | date=5 May 2008 | access-date=12 May 2010}} Flamini wore the number 84 on his shirt to represent his year of birth.

He made his Serie A debut on 30 August 2008 in a 2–1 loss to Bologna.[http://www.serieatalk.com/bologna-ruin-ronaldinho-debut/254 Bologna ruin Ronaldinho debut]. serieatalk.com. Initially, Flamini did not enjoy the number of starts or appearances for the Italian team, and was regarded as a utility player at Milan. Nevertheless, injuries to other players and his consistent good form helped him to cement a starting place at San Siro. With Milan failing to find a stable defence and a lack of a fit, consistent and reliable right back, Gianluca Zambrotta was switched to the left flank to help Flamini develop as a tenacious right back. After stating that his preferred position is in the midfield, Milan re-deployed him as a defensive midfielder.

Flamini saw limited playing time towards the end of 2009–10 season due to the great form of club captain Massimo Ambrosini. In the following season, Flamini became an important asset of the team that would win its 18th scudetto, playing many games as starter and scoring two goals against Bari and Bologna, respectively. After playing as a rotation role in the 2010–11 season, he injured himself in a pre-season training session, suffering a serious knee injury which required an operation.{{Cite web |date=August 30, 2011 |orig-date= |title=Milan's Flamini to miss group stage with knee injury |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01f4-0e796b24f70b-073d32d216a5-1000--milan-s-flamini-to-miss-group-stage-with-knee-injury/ |website=UEFA}} Flamini spent the entire 2011–12 season out.{{Cite web |last=Prindiville |first=Mike |date=2013-08-29 |title=Arsenal re-sign French midfielder Mathieu Flamini from AC Milan |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/soccer/news/arsenal-re-sign-french-midfielder-mathieu-flamini-from-ac-milan |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}

On 20 June 2012, it was confirmed by the club that he had left following the expiration of his contract, as they had ended negotiations with the player, and so he became a free agent.{{cite web |title=Arsenal sign their former midfielder Mathieu Flamini on a free transfer |website=The Daily Telegraph |date=29 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309103206/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10273980/Arsenal-sign-their-former-midfielder-Mathieu-Flamini-on-a-free-transfer.html |archive-date=2023-03-09 |url-status=live |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10273980/Arsenal-sign-their-former-midfielder-Mathieu-Flamini-on-a-free-transfer.html}} Two weeks later, Flamini and Adriano Galliani reached a new agreement for a one-year contract, with the Frenchman taking a significant cut in his wages.{{cite news|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1116167/mathieu-flamini-signs-one-year-extension-with-ac-milan?cc=5901|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629035826/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1116167/mathieu-flamini-signs-one-year-extension-with-ac-milan?cc=5901|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 June 2012|title=Milan confirm Flamini U-turn|work=ESPN|access-date=26 June 2012|date=26 June 2012}} On 7 April 2013, Flamini scored his first goal of the season, and Milan's second of the game, in a 2–2 draw against Fiorentina.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/ac-milan-tops-fiorentina-serie-a-1.1386831|title=AC Milan tops Fiorentina: Serie A|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=7 April 2013|date=7 April 2013}}

File:Mathieu Flamini (19468174744).jpg

Flamini began training with Arsenal midway in early August, with the reason to "solely maintain fitness" with a view to signing for a club in England. Immediately it sparked media attention with claims rising that he would soon sign for Arsenal, but these reports were shunned by many journalists, pointing out that many other ex-Arsenal players had returned to train with Arsenal, including club legends Robert Pires and Thierry Henry.

Flamini, however, did indeed sign for Arsenal on 29 August 2013 and became Arsenal's second acquisition of the summer, after Yaya Sanogo.{{cite news|title=Club confirms Mathieu Flamini signing|url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/mathieu-flamini-rejoins-arsenal|publisher=Arsenal F.C|date=29 August 2013 |access-date=29 August 2013}} He made his returning debut on 1 September at Emirates Stadium against Tottenham Hotspur, coming on for Jack Wilshere and helping the team secure a 1–0 win. His performances after signing were lauded by both critics and fans alike, and had featured in all of Arsenal's Premier League, Football League Cup and European games since, with many seeing his signing, and his combative style of play, as one of the key reasons for Arsenal's excellent early season form.{{cite news|title=Arsenal 1–0 Tottenham|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23831033|publisher=BBC Sport|work=BBC|date=1 September 2013|access-date=7 September 2013|last=Magowan|first=Alistair}} He scored his first goal in his second spell at Arsenal on 30 November, the second in a 0–3 away win at Cardiff City. He has also scored in a crucial 1–1 draw against Manchester City after a run of bad form from Arsenal, helping the club rejuvenate and achieve an eventual top four league finish. At the start of Arsenal's 2013–14 FA Cup run, Flamini expressed his desire to win the Cup, having been left out of the squad when Arsenal won the 2005 FA Cup Final.{{cite web

|url=http://news.arseblog.com/2014/01/flamini-eyes-second-fa-cup-triumph/

|title=Flamini eyes second FA Cup triumph

|publisher=arseblog.com

|date=4 January 2014 |access-date=22 December 2014}} Arsenal went on to win the tournament, though Flamini was an unused substitute in the Final, also remaining on the substitutes' bench when Arsenal repeated the feat, becoming FA Cup champions again in 2015.

On 23 September 2015, Flamini earned his first start of the 2015–16 season in the Football League Cup third round tie against Tottenham Hotspur. He scored both of Arsenal's goals with a Man of the Match performance.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/sep/23/tottenham-arsenal-capital-one-cup-match-report|title=Arsenal's Mathieu Flamini rediscovers scoring flair to down Tottenham|last=Lane|first=David Hytner at White Hart|date=23 September 2015|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=9 September 2016}}

Flamini signed as a free-agent for Crystal Palace at the beginning of the 2016–17 season,{{Cite web|title=Flamini Joins Crystal Palace|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2016/september/flamini-joins-crystal-palace-/|website=cpfc.co.uk |date=8 September 2016 |access-date=8 September 2016}} and released by the club at the season's end.{{cite news|title=Crystal Palace release Fraizer Campbell, Mathieu Flamini and Joe Ledley|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11706/10910054/crystal-palace-release-fraizer-campbell-mathieu-flamini-and-joe-ledley|access-date=9 June 2017|publisher=Sky Sport|date=9 June 2017}} He joined Getafe in February 2018,{{Cite web|title=Flamini en el Getafe|url=http://getafecf.com/Noticia/tabid/137/Article/5061/Flamini-en-el-Getafe.aspx|website=getafecf.com |date=2 February 2018 |access-date=2 February 2018}} making eight appearances in La Liga before leaving the club at the end of the season.{{Cite web |title= Mathieu Flamini laissé libre par Getafe |url= https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Mathieu-flamini-laisse-libre-par-getafe/917388 |trans-title= Mathieu Flamini leaves Getafe |website= L'Équipe |language=fr |date= 30 June 2018 |access-date=5 July 2018}} He rejoined Getafe in December 2018,{{cite news|title=El Getafe vuelve a fichar a Flamini|url=https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/laliga/getafe-vuelve-fichar-flamini-7209419|access-date=20 December 2018|publisher=Sport|date=18 December 2018}} and retired from playing in 2019.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-12 |title=Mathieu Flamini now worth £10 BILLION after becoming incredibly successful since retiring |url=https://www.givemesport.com/mathieu-flamini-ex-arsenal-midfielder-is-now-worth-an-insane-amount/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=GiveMeSport |language=en}}

Flamini accepted his first call up to France by coach Raymond Domenech for a friendly against Argentina at the Stade de France on 7 February 2007 after Jérémy Toulalan was ruled out due to injury. He later made his international debut in a friendly against Morocco on 16 November 2007 as a substitute.[https://archive.today/20120904131613/http://www.fff.fr/compint/match.php?compet=3641&match=12539&r=90 France 2–1 Maroc], fff.fr, 16 November 2007, accessed 17 November 2007.

A combative, energetic, tactically intelligent, and tenacious midfielder,{{cite web |url=https://www.cinquantamila.it/storyTellerArticolo.php?storyId=0000000158715 |title="Abbiamo cercato di coprire tutte le carenze e sulla carta ci siamo riusciti. Se Ronaldinho porta qualità, Antonini e Zambrotta portano dinamismo, Flamini intelligenza tattica, Borriello forza e potenza" |publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |author1=Marco Pasotto |date=17 July 2008 |access-date=19 November 2018 }} according to Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, Flamini was a player with a fantastic work rate, good ball-winning ability and great mentality; he could play anywhere across midfield, in the centre as a box-to-box or defensive midfielder, or on either flank as a cover at full-back.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23804580|work=bbc.co.uk/sport|title=Mathieu Flamini: Midfielder returns to Arsenal on free transfer|publisher=BBC|last=Ornstein|first=David|access-date=29 August 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2008/06/27/753456/english-debate-who-will-anchor-arsenals-midfield|title=English Debate: Who Will Anchor Arsenal's Midfield?|publisher=Goal.com|author1=Alan Dawson|date=27 June 2008|access-date=7 September 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/live-scores/news/y=2008/m=5/news=milan-confirm-flamini-deal-760551.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809161053/http://www.fifa.com/live-scores/news/y=2008/m=5/news=milan-confirm-flamini-deal-760551.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 August 2016|title=Milan confirm Flamini deal|publisher=FIFA.com|date=5 May 2008|access-date=7 September 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2299045/Adebayor-warns-Arsenal-as-Flamini-nears-exit.html|title=Adebayor warns Arsenal as Flamini nears exit|publisher=The Telegraph|author1=Steve Wilson|date=1 May 2008|access-date=7 September 2016}}

Flamini is a partner of GF Biochemicals, a leading global producer of levulinic acid and derivatives. He has stated{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-19/arsenal-s-flamini-takes-biochemical-battle-against-oil-to-u-s|title=Arsenal Star Mathieu Flamini Buys Stake in U.S. Green Chemical Firm|website=Bloomberg.com|date=19 February 2016 }} that “we founded GFBiochemicals with the ambition of finding sustainable alternatives to oil-based products”. Levulinic acid includes{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36037874|title=Mathieu Flamini: Arsenal's biochemical midfielder|work=BBC News|date=14 April 2016}} grass or woodchips, and can be used in plastics, solvents, fuels and the pharmaceutical industry. Levulinic acid has been identified by the U.S. Department of Energy{{cite web|url=http://ascension-publishing.com/BIZ/HD49.pdf|title=U.S Department of Energy|website=Ascension Publishing.com}} as one of the 12 molecules that can help unlock a “greener” world.

In addition to GFBiochemicals’ established presence in the Netherlands{{cite web|url=https://www.bloombergquint.com/technology/2017/03/24/footballer-s-green-chemical-company-signs-deal-for-biorefinery|title=Footballer's Green Chemical Company Signs Deal for Biorefinery|website=Bloombergquint.com|date=24 March 2017 }} and headquarters in Italy, Flamini has named{{cite web|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/microsites/energy/2016/12/mathieu-flamini-footballer-tackling-climate-change|title=Mathieu Flamini: the footballer tackling climate change|website=Newstatesman.com|date=2 December 2016 }} China and Brazil as potential new markets for expansion.

In 2016, GFBiochemicals fully controls the Segetis, the leading producer of levulinic acid derivatives, in a move towards downstream integration. Segitis was previously owned by Sabic, DSM, and Khosla Ventures, among other entities, and has invested{{cite web|url=http://www.italy24.ilsole24ore.com/art/business-and-economy/2016-02-18/gfbiochemicals-acquires-one-of-its-competitors-da-passare-204154.php?uuid=ACJPqjXC|title=Italy's Caserta-based biochemical company to buy world leader in levulinic acid derivatives|website=Italy24.Ilsole24ore.com}} in R&D over the past decade. In 2017, GFBiochemicals announced{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-03-24/footballer-s-green-chemical-company-signs-deal-for-biorefinery|title=A Footballer Wants to Turn the World Green|website=Bloomberg.com|date=24 March 2017 }} that it will build a cellulosic biorefinery in the US, in partnership with biotech company American Process.

Flamini was also part of the team that created BIOCIRCE (Bioeconomy in the Circular economy),{{cite web|url=http://masterbiocirce.com/|title=MasterBiocirce|website=masterbiocirce.com/}} Europe’s first master's degree dedicated to promoting bioeconomy education. It was launched in collaboration with Italian bank Intesa Sanpaolo, Novamont (a producer of bioplastics), and the Universities of Naples, Torino, Milano Bicocca and Bologna.

In addition, Flamini co-founded The BioJournal{{cite web|url=http://www.thebiojournal.com/|title=thebiojournal|website=thebiojournal.com/}} the world’s first e-magazine devoted entirely to the bio world and eco-sustainability and managed by Italian environmental journalist Mario Bonaccorso.{{Cite web|url=https://www.52-insights.com/news/crystal-palace-footballer-mathieu-flamini-kicks-off-first-eco-sustainability-portal/.|title = Crystal Palace Footballer Mathieu Flamini Kicks off First Eco-sustainability Portal| date=7 October 2016 }}

Flamini is also part of the Environmental Excellence Committee for the candidature of Paris as the location for the 2024 Summer Olympics.{{cite web|url=http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1038485/paris-2024-unveils-environmental-excellence-committee|title=Paris 2024 unveils Environmental Excellence Committee|website=Inside The Games.biz|date=15 June 2016 }}

In 2015, Flamini was named one of People of the Year by the NME.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/mathieu-flamini-nme-people-of-the-year-2015-12854|title=Mathieu Flamini – NME People Of The Year 2015|website=NME.com|date=18 December 2015}}

{{cite web |title=M. Flamini |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/mathieu-flamini/2961/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=3 July 2018}}{{cite web|title=Mathieu Flamini|url=http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/40501/mathieu-flamini?cc=5901|publisher=ESPN|access-date=10 September 2013}}

{{notelist}}

Appearances and goals by national team and year{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/mathieu-flamini/2961/|title=M. Flamini|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=7 September 2016}}

Marseille

• UEFA Cup runner-up: 2003–04{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/3724215.stm |title=Valencia 2-0 Marseille |website=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2004 |access-date=13 August 2020}}

Arsenal

• FA Cup: 2004–05,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/23804580 |title=Mathieu Flamini: Midfielder returns to Arsenal on free transfer |first=David |last=Ornstein |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 August 2013 |access-date=13 August 2020}} 2013–14,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/27354148 |title=Arsenal 3–2 Hull City |first=Phil |last=McNulty |work=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2014 |access-date=13 August 2020}} 2014–15{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/32856754 |title=Arsenal 4–0 Aston Villa |first=Phil |last=McNulty |work=BBC Sport |date=30 May 2015 |access-date=13 August 2020}}
• FA Community Shield: 2014{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/28647186 |title=Arsenal 3–0 Manchester City |first=Mandeep |last=Sanghera |work=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2014 |access-date=13 August 2020}}
• UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2005–06{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4773353.stm|title=Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal |website=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2006 |access-date=13 August 2020}}

Milan

• Serie A: 2010–11{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37299229|title=Mathieu Flamini: Crystal Palace sign ex-Arsenal midfielder |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 September 2016 |access-date=13 August 2020}}

Individual

• Arsenal Player of the Season: 2007−08{{Cite news |last=James |first=Josh |date=31 May 2022 |title='I played for the club of my dreams' |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |url=https://www.arsenal.com/alexandre-lacazette-interview-premier-league-news-arsenal |access-date=12 October 2022}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{FFF player}}
• {{UEFA player}}
• {{FIFA player}}

{{Arsenal F.C. Player of the Season}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Flamini, Mathieu}}

Category:1984 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Marseille

Category:French men's footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Olympique de Marseille players

Category:Arsenal F.C. players

Category:AC Milan players

Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players

Category:Getafe CF footballers

Category:Ligue 1 players

Category:Premier League players

Category:Serie A players

Category:La Liga players

Category:France men's under-21 international footballers

Category:France men's international footballers

Category:French expatriate men's footballers

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain

Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Italy

Category:French expatriate sportspeople in England

Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Spain

Category:French people of Corsican descent

Category:French sportspeople of Italian descent

Category:People named in the Paradise Papers

Category:21st-century French sportsmen