Ritabrata Banerjee

Ritabrata Banerjee

News writer

📝Bio: Ritabrata has been living and breathing football for nearly two decades. Has a bachelor's degree in Business Management but took up sports journalism as a career path to live and breathe football. He joined GOAL in 2017 and has since made his mark covering the Indian Super League, I-League, and the Indian national team. He has also been part of Goal's coverage team at the FIFA U17 World Cup 2017. Based in Kolkata, where football is a religion, he grew up idolising Bhaichung Bhutia and continues to support East Bengal FC. 

⚽My Football Story: My football journey began in 1999 with the Kolkata derby when I was a seven-year-old and watched a live football match for the first time. The 2002 World Cup solidified my love for the game. In a cricket-obsessed nation, football continues to remain my true passion.

🎯Areas of Expertise:

  • Social media-specific content
  • Premier League, Champions League, World Cup, Euros, European & Indian football coverage
  • Tactical analysis of the Indian national team, Indian Super League clubs and European teams
  • News & SEO content writing

🌟Favourite Footballing Memory: East Bengal winning the ASEAN Club Championship in 2003, beating then AFC Champions League runners-up BEC Tero Sasana of Thailand, remains my most cherished football memory alongside watching the 'little Argentine' lifting the 2022 World Cup in Doha.

📝My All-Time XI: Manuel Neuer; Philipp Lahm, Sergio Ramos, Paolo Maldini, Roberto Carlos; Sergio Busquets, Zinedine Zidane, Andres Iniesta; Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo Phenomenon, Lionel Messi.

Articles by Ritabrata Banerjee
  1. Jurgen Klopp Red Bull 2025

    Klopp insists he's 'not the shadow boss' at RB Leipzig

    Jurgen Klopp has insisted yet again that he is "not the shadow boss" at RB Leipzig while revealing how he expects the team to play in the 2025-26 campaign under new manager Ole Werner. Klopp brought in Werner this summer to revive the performances of a team that finished seventh in the Bundesliga, their worst final league position since returning to the top division in 2016.

  2. Alexander Isak

    Liverpool want new No.9 with Isak included on shortlist of targets

    Liverpool are keen on signing a new No.9 to bolster their attack ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. The Reds have prioritised having a fearsome frontline in the last few seasons, with more than one option in each of the three positions upfront. Alexander Isak is one of five players on Liverpool's radar to slot into the central striker berth next season.

  3. Osimhen transfer saga: Galatasaray reject 'new conditions' from Napoli

    Galatasaray have rejected Napoli's new transfer conditions for Victor Osimhen to leave him stuck in limbo. The Turkish giants have refused to meet the fresh demands laid down by the Italian champions, putting Premier League clubs on red alert. Osimhen is being strongly linked with a move away from Napoli this summer after he spent a year on loan in Turkey, becoming the top goalscorer in the Super Lig.

  4. Aubameyang could return to former club this summer

    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be set to return to France and join his former club Marseille this summer. The Ligue 1 side are currently negotiating the financial details of the player's contract as they are set to offer the forward a two-year deal. Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah have agreed to mutually terminate Aubameyang's contract, which will make him a free agent.

  1. Onana forced out of Man Utd's pre-season in huge injury blow

    Manchester United have been dealt a massive injury blow as Andre Onana has been ruled out of the club's pre-season with a hamstring problem. Early assessment of the player's condition suggests he could miss six to eight weeks of action, which means the goalkeeper is unlikely to return to the pitch before United's opening Premier League fixture against Arsenal on August 17.

  2. Leverkusen complete signing of USMNT star Tillman from PSV

    USMNT star Malik Tillman has joined Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year deal from Ajax. Tillman, who started his journey in Bayern Munich's academy and spent nine years at the club, has returned to Germany after spending just one season at Ajax. New Leverkusen boss Erik ten Hag decided to go after the American midfielder after losing Florian Wirtz to Liverpool.

  3. James & Colwill send bullish messages to PSG

    Chelsea captain Reece James sent out a bullish message to Paris Saint-Germain ahead of facing the Champions League winners in the Club World Cup final. James' colleague, Levi Colwill, on the other hand, issued a warning to the French giants as he claimed that the Blues won't surrender as easily as how Real Madrid did in the semi-final. PSG beat Madrid 4-0 in the last-four stage.

  4. Como eye move for Dele's former Tottenham team-mate

    Como are eyeing a move for Dele Alli's former Tottenham team-mate Davinson Sanchez as Cesc Fabregas looks to bolster his squad ahead of the 2025-26 Serie A season. Sanchez, who joined Spurs in 2017, played alongside Dele for four-and-a-half years before the English midfielder left for Everton on loan. Sanchez departed the Premier League in 2023 to join Turkish giants Galatasaray.

  5. Ex-Man Utd & City star Tevez takes on HUGE new coaching challenge

    Former Manchester United and Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has returned to management after one year of unemployment. Following his retirement from professional football, Tevez accepted his first job as a head coach in 2022 when he took charge at Rosario Central. He spent one season at the club before heading to Independiente. Last summer, Tevez left the managerial role at the Argentine side, but has now been appointed by Club Atletico Talleres.

  6. Kroos warns Yamal 'success doesn’t only depend on the pitch'

    Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has issued a warning to Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal over what it takes to enjoy longevity at the highest level. Kroos briefly played against Yamal in club football as well as at Euro 2024, where Spain eliminated Germany from the quarter-finals, thus bringing the curtain down on the midfielder's illustrious career.