Flamini: I didn't join Milan for the money

Midfielder Mathieu Flamini says that he didn't join Italian giants AC Milan because of the amount of cash on offer.

The Frenchman was denying statements made by former manager Arsène Wenger that money was the only reason why Flamini would have wanted to join Milan.

Flamini said: "I've enormous respect for Arsène Wenger. But I did not leave for the money, it is not true. I don't want to comment about what he said or how I felt when I read his comments.

"But I will say I'm leaving for Milan because it's one of the biggest clubs in the world - with millions of fans everywhere, an enormous history and one of the biggest trophy cabinets in the world.

"Milan are in the Champions League final every couple of years. Arsenal are a big club too and they have ambition.

"But I chose to go to Milan. If you think it was easy for me to leave Arsenal you couldn't be more wrong.

"Until the last moment I couldn't make my mind up.

"It breaks your heart to see all these people wanting you to stay. Even on the last day after the Everton game they were not sure I was going to leave because even I was not sure. Then after I passed my medical at Milan I went to see Arsène. It was emotional but he accepted my decision.

"Those who say I left for the money should think that I signed as a 20-year-old and I left with the same salary I had when I came to Arsenal.

"If money was the reason I played for Arsenal, then why did I play for four years with the same contract?

"I had the chance to go to some of the biggest clubs in Europe. Even if I stayed at Arsenal I'd still have earned a lot of money.

"I took my decision based on what I wanted for the future. Milan is the most decorated club in the world, along with Real Madrid.

"I'm half-Italian and it was an opportunity to go back to my roots. My father Roland is the proudest person in the world that I've finally gone to Italy."

The Frenchman was also asked to comment on the futures of his former team mates Francesc Fabregas and Alexander Hleb, to which he said he couldn't but that they had to make their mind up soon.

He added: "I honestly don't know what will happen with Cesc or Alex.

"My team-mates knew I had a decision to make and respected it. They know one day they may have to make a decision themselves."

User Comments

Art007

Posted on 22 May, 2008 at 04:42 AM - Reply

The reason why he left was because he knew it was his only chance to Ca$$$h in on his only good season he had at Arsenal. I can understand he moved to a better paying club, and that he's lying his arse off by saying otherwise, but anyways, you won't be missed too long and have fun competing for the UEFA cup you money grabbing w@nker!

koona

Posted on 21 May, 2008 at 03:14 AM - Reply

Flam, wish you all the best in milan
hope you win every other UEFA cup till the end of your career

Christian Allen

Posted on 20 May, 2008 at 08:25 PM - Reply

i don't see why he has left to win trophies, arsenal were so close this year and i can't wait to see what they do next year. milan just finished 5th in their league and even though they have kaka they have to start rebuilding, that will take about 5 years, arsenal are now coming to end of their rebuilding proccess. milan will not win any trophies any time soon. arsenal will!!!

Baz the Gooner

Posted on 20 May, 2008 at 04:03 PM - Reply

When players arrive at the club they should already know how AW sees contracts. He has set up a scheme and stayed with it all along. If you do not like it - then don't ask to come to the wonderful club that is The Arsenal!

Baz the Gooner

Posted on 20 May, 2008 at 04:00 PM - Reply

Oh dear - what happened to comment 16 and the use of FOUL LANGUAGE? If that is how you think, 16, then you are NOT WELCOME on this site. (Note to JChong - please check carefully in such matters!).

mik

Posted on 20 May, 2008 at 11:31 AM - Reply

sure, you joined Milan for UEFA Cup! Have fun!

emm

Posted on 20 May, 2008 at 10:19 AM - Reply

Yes, you went for the football. Yeah, something about playing in the UEFA cup. Who know, the experience might come in handy later.

Ian

Posted on 19 May, 2008 at 07:15 PM - Reply

First he said it was Arsenal slump that prompted him to leave, then he said it's going back to his roots, then he said Arsenal missed the chance to keep him by not offering a contract last summer - meaning he'd planned to leave all along. Well Flamster, wishing you a terrific UEFA Cup campaign with Milan. Might even reach the quarters or even the semis.

Sam

Posted on 19 May, 2008 at 04:41 PM - Reply

Partially it was money of course but he is totally right in everyrthing he said. Reality is players want to win and whne he gave everything he has while other players turned his effort down he reached a point of either go with his heart (Arsenal) or his mind (Milan) and he did the right dicision. Arsenal has NOT won a single cup for sometime now, that's the fatct. If AW doesn't bring players that can make a differnce, do not expect to see Fabregas and many other players there the following season. ARSENAL FOR LIFE!!!

Ronnyy

Posted on 19 May, 2008 at 04:09 PM - Reply

Flamini is greedy and he turned his back to THE ARSENAL and he will pay it by playing in Uefa ( probably AC Milan cant even win the Uefa cup but anywayz) UR A JERK MATHIEU

GoonerJames

Posted on 19 May, 2008 at 04:04 PM - Reply

Flamoney, the reason you stayed at Arsenal 4 years at the same wage is up until this year your performance didn't merit an increase in wages or draw interest from big clubs looking to give you a raised deal. You parlayed 1 great season and an expiring contract into a mega deal, simple as that. Now I can't blame him for maximizing his opportunity, but the excuses he gives for leaving are rubbish and a bit insulting. Enjoy the kiddie cup.

lemoo

Posted on 19 May, 2008 at 02:39 PM - Reply

i disagree with the guy that said arsenal players dont go on to achieve bigger and better things.... because kanu, campbell, lauren, diarra just won the FA cup while viera just won the seria A soo yeh... although he certainly did leave for the money no disagreements there

topgunner101

Posted on 19 May, 2008 at 12:09 PM - Reply

it was money.wont get no glory there mate.lot of theses european giants have had rubbish season this year.thats why theyre all tryin to raid what has been the strongest league.good luck matt.hope the bench is warm enough for you at ac.hope the eufa cup is the highlight of your career.what goes around eh.least youll have the euros eh.se ya.

james

Posted on 19 May, 2008 at 07:41 AM - Reply

he left for money,i am sure arsenal can be a great team,God will pay back for what flamini did,remember the whole season he puts gilberto silva on the bench because of flam,now wenger you must learn something and the behaviour of your player,other wise,we can remain as a college for production of players,we need to lift up trophies next season,common wake up,arsenal,its too late,our generation is getting old fast,thank you sesc faby,thank you hleb,ade,ebu,rvp,for staying we love you all,greetings from tanzania,east afrika

anonymous

Posted on 19 May, 2008 at 04:33 AM - Reply

milan didn't make it in champions league....flamini should be regret by now

dave

Posted on 19 May, 2008 at 04:06 AM - Reply

have to say im hugely disappointed with his decision however i believe him of all the players had the right to leave. he put in 100% efforts every single games he played whilst the other players had the heads down and did nothing. He was the only players that i saw work hard in every game he played.

Chisty Iftekhar

Posted on 19 May, 2008 at 02:34 AM - Reply

Umm, didn't leave for the money? What did you leave for then, UEFA cup football?

Galahad

Posted on 19 May, 2008 at 01:24 AM - Reply

I have no problems taking his departure, Im sure we will do better without him, but why the fuck cant players shut their f***ing mouth. Flamini, the only reason you left us is that you wanted more money DONT LIE. I HATE it when players find excuses and make up lies, that is the only reason he left and it will remain the only reason. Arsenal have proven they have a stronger squad then Milan this season + we are surely in the CL while Milan wasnt. Flamini drops on my likeness scale faster then ever....

Suleima

Posted on 19 May, 2008 at 12:03 AM - Reply

I dont care why he left but it was most probably because of the money. He will not be playing a higher level of football than at Arsenal because AC Milan didn't even make it into the champions league for the 2008/2009 season so he cant use that as a reason. This is a warning for any Arsenal player that wants to leave because there is not a single player that has left Arsenal and gone on to achieve bigger and better things and i will use Thierry Henry as an example because he is certainly unhappy which he would not of been had he had not left Arsenal. All i wish Flamini is that he never wins anything in the rest of his career and that he learns money doesn't buy happiness or success!!!

delboy

Posted on 18 May, 2008 at 07:49 PM - Reply

by saying you had the same contract for 4 years at arsenal and being offered a better one and then goning to ac for an even bigger one contradicts your story flam. by the way enjoy ufea cup foorball

Khobe Innis

Posted on 18 May, 2008 at 06:51 PM - Reply

David really what the heck are u on about He was a quality player who was probably one of the best, probably even the best, come-back of the season. He was loyal player in subjection 2 us.
P.S. Its flamini not flamoney (shows hes a real fan!)

declan oflaherty

Posted on 18 May, 2008 at 05:59 PM - Reply

Already backfired on flamini as ac didnt qualify for champions league!

yo

Posted on 18 May, 2008 at 05:24 PM - Reply

crap!!!......flamini history when he come to arsenal show...he be branded by his former french club president as 'traitor' after joining arsenal on free transfer...he always like this...traitor who only wan 2 play for bigger club thought himself of being 'great' player......

Ann Stephenson

Posted on 18 May, 2008 at 04:26 PM - Reply

Players should show more loyalty to the club that has made them famous

David

Posted on 18 May, 2008 at 10:45 AM - Reply

Cheapy Italians. No wonder he went for the money. Stupid Flamoney, you should know that you were no body before this season. And that's why you were not given an extension last summer. Wenger made you and you just turned your back, what a jerk!

Khobe Innis

Posted on 17 May, 2008 at 06:15 PM - Reply

Of course flamini didnt leave because of the money. He even says that the contract stayed the same so how is it possible that he left for the money. He Was a Phenomenal player for arsenal and speaking for all of arsenal fans we wish him a very good future.

Rahul Sethi

Posted on 17 May, 2008 at 05:36 PM - Reply

Well, hopefully Udinese will win and AC Milan can play for the UEFA cup next year. Nothing against Flamini, but AC Milan can take their trophy cabinet and shove it.

ganda

Posted on 17 May, 2008 at 04:35 PM - Reply

i guess he's right. we the fans just have to accept it.

Bluemoon

Posted on 17 May, 2008 at 12:44 PM - Reply

You can say anything that you want but in the fact is not change the real thing . Goodluck ,Flam ,for everythings you do for our club and enjoy to play the games that coming up soon.

RasDef

Posted on 17 May, 2008 at 12:39 PM - Reply

Flamini is a snake! He left OM to join Arsenal for the money, and now he's leaving Arsenal to join Milan FOR THE MONEY! This is hard to digest since I support both OM in the French league, and Arsenal in the Premiership, and that I could not care about corrupt Italian football that just as distorted as their politics!!!!

Ramgun

Posted on 17 May, 2008 at 12:10 PM - Reply

Hleb stopped playing for us around the time of Eduardo's broken leg, though A terrible foul by Carew couldn't have helped, and he will leave I am sure. If he is replaced by someone more natural on the flank and who actually wants to score a goal we will be OK. Flamini did well last season but ran out of steam over the final three months. He always gave 100% and it was his right to leave if he wanted to. Cesc is untouchable and is totally crucial to our future.

harryo

Posted on 17 May, 2008 at 11:49 AM - Reply

liar as well as as greedy

Sue

Posted on 17 May, 2008 at 11:37 AM - Reply

Lies, lies and more lies. I'm getting really fed up with this story now.

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