Arsenal ace Mesut Ozil and old team-mate Mathieu Flamini hope to save the planet with new skincare brand
The pair have launched UNITY as they aim to improve people's health and plan for a more sustainable future
MESUT OZIL and former Arsenal team-mate Mathieu Flamini have launched a new skincare brand with the hope of helping save the planet.
The pair want to protect people's health and create a more sustainable future so have created their company UNITY.
Flamini, 34, has a passion for the environment, setting up a biochemical company to try to end dependency on oil and is involved in other sustainability projects.
Ozil's visit to Jordan two years ago, witnessing the refugee crisis first-hand, changed his perspective on life and social justice.
So the former team-mates came together to brainstorm - with the result being their new well-being brand.
The range consists of natural grooming products with sugar cane packaging rather than plastic.
One per cent of revenue also goes to good causes.
Speaking to , Ozil, 30, said: "Mathieu is always talking about business. He is always saying that we have to do something. He is an inspiration to me.
"So the idea came up that we could create something together. I hope it will be the start of a long story.
"We have to do this because, whether you like it or not, we influence people. There are kids who are literally looking at what we are doing, so if we can stand for something then, then they might say that's something great and they might follow.
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"It is a lifelong responsibility for me."
Ozil and Flamini both moved to Arsenal in the summer of 2013.
For Ozil, it was the next big move of his illustrious career, coming from Real Madrid.
For Flamini, it was a return back home.
They hit it off, became good friends over their three seasons at the Emirates together and have remained close ever since.
Flamini is currently without a club after leaving Getafe at the end of last season but is keeping himself busy with .
He said: "When you play football you also have spare time. You can spend that spare time with your family but you can also spend time trying to create something that will be good for other people.
"Mesut has been involved in social impact issues for many years now, such as that trip to Jordan with the kids.
"I have been involved in sustainability for ten years. My focus was more towards the environment. Mesut's focus was more towards the people.
"We have been active in our respective fields so that's why we decided that by coming together and joining forces we could create a brand that is fair to the people and the planet.
"After a year and a half of work that is what we have tried to create and it is very emotional for us."
Ozil's Arsenal team-mates Sead Kolasinac and Shkodran Mustafi were in attendance at the launch in Covent Garden, London.
They hope their innovation can spread throughout the footballing world, knowing their team-mates and colleagues impact lives around the world.
And it is an opportunity to use their fame for a good cause.
Flamini added: "We have a responsibility to stand up for our beliefs and try to inspire the next generation.
"We have such a big reach on social media these days, why not use that to do something good?
"We are not trying to change the world but if everyone changes just a little then it adds up. It can make a big impact."