Football and cycling are two constants in Remco Evenepoel's life, two parallel paths that never intersect but continuously cross his mind and heart. These two sports have landed Evenepoel on the cover of the economic magazine Forbes, making him part of the list of the 30 most influential men in Belgium under 30.

Evenepoel appeared prominently on the magazine's cover, which chose the sports champion for its year-end issue. Inside Forbes, there is an entire photoshoot, taken in a place loved by Remco, the Lotto Park, Anderlecht's stadium, and a double interview with him and his wife Oumi, in which they talk about the future, their projects, and their life together, without addressing topics related to his cycling season and his team transfer from Soudal Quick Step to Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe.

In his interview, Remco talked about his discomfort when he left football and his conviction that he might have become a football champion. "I always dreamed of a career as a footballer" – he said regarding his choice - "And I often dream of returning to play football. The first times I entered the stadium were painful. I would tell myself that I could have been on the field too. I felt like they had taken away my football future. But by dedicating myself 200% to cycling, I overcame everything. Now, every time I return to Belgium, I go to the stadium completely relaxed."

In the long interview, Evenepoel also explained why he switched to cycling. "At fifteen, I injured my hip. Afterward, I could play again, but many coaches and scouts believed I was not at the same level as before the injury. Yet, I returned as team captain and even played for the national team. But slowly, my status changed. I was benched. It was strange. I felt treated unfairly. And I thought that perhaps football was not for me after all. It seemed like a breach of trust. I wanted to do something completely different: athletics, long-distance running, triathlon, or cycling."

Remco was a promising player who wore the national under-15 jersey and played in Catanzaro against our azzurri, even scoring a goal. The Belgian wore the jersey of Anderlecht, PSV, and KV Mechelen, but then came the time to say goodbye.

Patrick Evenepoel, Remco's father, has also recounted over the years that painful farewell to the football world, and that somewhat arrogant attitude perhaps stemmed from that goodbye to football, which for him was life itself.

The interview dedicates a part to the emotional sphere of the young man from Aalst, to his wife Oumi, who was his neighbor and whom he has known practically forever, and to how they grew together until marriage. There is no discussion of his future in cycling, as that will have to be told by Remco only through his races.