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. Luiz in talks over Premier League return

    Douglas Luiz could return to the Premier League after just one season as West Ham have emerged as a possible destination for the Juventus flop this summer. Luiz joined the Serie A side on a €50 million (£43.7m) transfer from Aston Villa last year but the player is likely to move out now following a nightmare debut campaign at Allianz Arena and his breakup with fellow Juventus star Alisha Lehmann.

  2. Rodrygo Real Madrid 2025

    📽️ | Rodrygo's telling reaction to fan's Arsenal transfer question

    Real Madrid star Rodrygo ignored a fan's question about a possible move to Arsenal. The Brazilian stopped to pose for a photograph but immediately looked the other way when asked a question on his potential transfer to the Premier League. The Brazilian has been linked with a move away from Los Blancos, although the Spanish giants have set a huge price tag for him.

  3. Liverpool to make final £40m offer for Guehi

    Liverpool are all set to place a final bid worth £40 million ($54m) for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. This will be the Reds' last attempt to sign the English defender, who has entered the final year of his existing contract at Selhurst Park. The Eagles will only accept a cash only deal as they need money in hand to sign Guehi's replacement this summer.

  4. Firmino finds new club after Al Ahli exit

    Former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino is all set to leave Saudi Pro League giants Al-Ahli as he has agreed to join Qatari side Al Sadd. Firmino, who left the Reds in 2023 to join Al Ahli, spent two seasons at the Saudi club and was an integral part of the squad that won the AFC Champions League this year. The Brazilian left the club despite having a year left on his existing deal.

  5. Cahill hails one Chelsea signing this summer

    Former Chelsea and England defender Gary Cahill heaped praise on new signing Liam Delap, who joined the Blues this summer from Ipswich Town for £30 million ($41m). Cahill spoke highly of the English forward's physicality, while claiming Delap 'makes the grade' in terms of talent. The young striker has already established himself as a regular starter under Enzo Maresca in the Club World Cup.

  6. James issues rallying cry as Wales aim to knock England out

    Former Arsenal and Everton midfielder Angharad James is determined to beat England and knock the reigning champions out of the Women's Euro 2025. James, who is leading Wales in their first major women's tournament in Switzerland, spoke about the rivalry that the two countries share, while claiming that is in their 'blood and DNA' to knock the Lionesses out of the competition.

  7. Endrick makes clear decision over Madrid future after injury

    Endrick has made a decision on his Real Madrid future after suffering yet another injury setback. The Brazilian youngster was linked with a move away from Santiago Bernabeu this summer due to lack of game time in his maiden season, however, his transfer plans have hit a snag. Under Carlo Ancelotti, Endrick started in only eight matches across all competitions but managed to score seven goals.

  8. Fernandez insists Blues can beat PSG in Club World Cup final

    Chelsea's star midfielder Enzo Fernandez believes the Blues can win the Club World Cup by beating Paris Saint-Germain in the final. The Blues will start as underdogs against a PSG side who have won every trophy on offer in the 2024-25 campaign and have displayed fiery form in the Club World Cup thus far. Yet, the Argentine feels that they can upset the European champions.

  9. Liverpool may KEEP Nunez amid asking price standoff

    Liverpool might end up retaining Darwin Nunez's services beyond this summer as they remain firm on their €60 million (£52m/$70m) valuation of the Uruguayan forward. Napoli remain interested in signing the striker this summer but they are offering a fee of €55m for the Reds star. Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna will meet the player's agent on Monday.

  1. Aston Villa eye €80m striker amid Man Utd interest in Watkins

    Aston Villa have shown interest in signing Sami Aghehowa from FC Porto this summer as they have identified the Spanish striker as a possible replacement for Ollie Watkins. Manchester United are keen on signing the English forward in the summer window and in case Watkins exits Villa Park, the club would go after Aghehowa who is valued at €80 million (£69m/$93.5m) by the Portuguese club.

  2. Arsenal finally closing in on Valencia's Mosquera

    Arsenal are closing in on signing Spanish centre-back Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia this summer. The Gunners have agreed personal terms with the defender and are close to finalising a deal with the La Liga side. The youngster, who recently represented Spain at the U-21 European Championship, is being considered as a perfect back up for William Saliba and Gabriel.

  3. Why Chelsea have suffered a setback in Garnacho pursuit

    Chelsea have hit a roadblock in their pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho amid standoff between the player's representatives Carlos Cambeiro and Enrique de Lucas and Pini Zahavi's Gol International agency. It was earlier reported that Manchester United have asked Alejandro Garnacho to leave the club this summer and have agreed that the winger won't join the club's pre-season in the summer.

  4. Madueke spotted partying at Wireless Festival in London with Sancho

    Noni Madueke, who is all set to complete a move from Chelsea to Arsenal this summer, was spotted partying at the Wireless Festival in London alongside ex-team-mates Jadon Sancho and Carney Chukwuemeka. Madueke was in London at a time when the Blues were in action in the Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain in New Jersey. The English side won the tie 3-0 to lift the trophy.

  5. Man Utd outcasts ordered to train AFTER 5pm

    Five Manchester United outcasts have been asked to train after 5pm at Carrington, once Ruben Amorim and the rest of the first-team squad have left the facilities. Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia have been deemed surplus to Amorim's needs ahead of the 2025-26 campaign and are free to leave the club this summer.

  6. 'Lazy' Rashford accused of 'letting team-mates down' at Man Utd

    A former Manchester United player has accused Marcus Rashford of being 'lazy' and 'letting his team-mates at Old Trafford down', with the forward's resurgence at Barcelona dismissed. Rashford has rediscovered himself in Catalonia this season after completing a loan move from United. He had fallen out of favour under Ruben Amorim and was included in the manager's 'bomb squad' during pre-season.

  7. Man Utd backed for shock Premier League title charge

    Manchester United have been backed for a shock Premier League title tilt as a former Red Devils coach feels that 'positive power' is finally building under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford. With their latest win at Anfield over reigning champions Liverpool, United have finally registered back-to-back victories in the Premier League for the first time since the Portuguese coach took charge of the club.

  8. Salah dropped for Liverpool's UCL clash with Frankfurt

    Mohamed Salah has been left out of Liverpool's starting line-up to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday, as Arne Slot has taken action following the Premier League defeat at home to Manchester United last Sunday. Hugo Ekitike has replaced the Egyptian winger in the Reds' XI after starting on the bench against the Red Devils.