Mathieu Flamini Funds Groundbreaking Eco-Fuel Company in Secret

There's a lot more to Mathieu Flamini than the occasional derby wonder goal.

The Arsenal midfielder has revealed he and business partner Pasquale Granata may be about to revolutionise the energy industry with their own groundbreaking company, GF.

Flamini has invested millions in research and trials into Levulinic Acid, an environmentally friendly alternative to oil, since 2008—without telling his family, friends and team-mates.

The former AC Milan star spoke to the Sun about his astonishing project:

"

For seven years I haven't mentioned it to anyone. When I moved to Milan in 2008 I met Pasquale, who became a close friend and we always had in mind to do something together.

I was always close to nature and concerned about environmental issues, climate change and global warming. He was on the same wavelength. We were looking how we could make a contribution to the problem.

After a while we found out about Levulinic Acid. It's a molecule identified by the US Department of Energy as one of the 12 molecules with the potential to replace petrol in all its forms.

"

And it could be about to make the pair very rich, with the untouched market estimated to be worth £20 billion.

But Flamini and Granata aren't the only ones to benefit from the investment, with GF now employing approximately 400 people.

"

We employ around 80 people in the plant and we give work in total to about 400 people. Which at a time of crisis in Italy makes me even prouder. There is the plant in Caserta in Italy, we have a lab there, an office in Milan with another in Holland, and we're planning to open an office in the US soon.

"

Bet you didn't know all that before today—it would seem no one did.

[h/t the Sun]