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. Why Guehi is set to STAY at Palace despite Liverpool interest

    Marc Guehi is set to stay at Crystal Palace for the 2025-26 campaign despite strong interest from Premier League champions Liverpool. The Reds have been linked with a move for the English defender for a long time now, however, they are far from reaching an agreement with the Eagles over a fee for Guehi, who is into the final year of his current contract.

  2. Chelsea's stance on replacing Jackson revealed

    Chelsea have revealed their stance on Nicolas Jackson's transfer this summer, as the Senegalese continues to be linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge. The Blues have signed Liam Delap and Joao Pedro to strengthen their attack in this transfer window and both forwards have shown early promise by performing fairly well in the Club World Cup, where Enzo Maresca's side emerged victorious.

  3. Gravenberch opens up on mental turmoil at Bayern

    Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has opened up on his tough experience of playing at Bayern Munich under then-manager Julian Nagelsmann, as the Dutchman struggled for game time at Allianz Arena after completing a dream move from Ajax. Gravenberch lasted just one season in Munich before being sold to Liverpool, where the Netherlands international started to grow in stature.

  4. 📽️ | Van Dijk scores outrageous training ground goal

    Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk scored an outrageous goal during a training session, while claiming he 'likes a challenge'. The Reds skipper's recent performances have come under scrutiny after the club conceded in five of their six pre-season friendlies. At the same time, the English champions also squandered their lead twice and lost to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield.

  5. Why Arsenal are yet to move for Eze as Spurs reignite interest

    Arsenal are yet to make progress in their transfer pursuit of Eberechi Eze, while Tottenham Hotspur have reignited their interest in the Crystal Palace talisman. Eze reportedly has a release clause in his current contract worth £68 million ($92m/€79m), which is active until August 15. The Gunners have added firepower to their attack this summer by signing Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres.

  6. Hull City hand forgotten Man Utd defender one-year contract

    Hull City have completed the signing of former Manchester United full-back Brandon Williams on a one-year deal. Williams looked set for a big career after bursting into the first team at United aged just 19 but it has not worked out that way. The left-back went on loan to Norwich and Ipswich and was finally released by the Red Devils in 2024 when his contract expired.

  7. Howe calls for Isak's future to be resolved 'quickly'

    Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has requested that the club resolve Alexander Isak's situation soon, while backing fans' right to boo the wantaway striker. The Magpies fans were heard hurling an X-rated chant at Isak at Villa Park at full-time after the team's Premier League opener against Aston Villa. Isak is determined to move out of Newcastle this summer and sign for Liverpool.

  1. Spurs to 'accelerate' move to sign Palace star Eze

    Tottenham are closing in on the signing of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace. Spurs are making progress in their talks with the Eagles and the two clubs are expected to reach an agreement in the next 48 hours. Eze is determined to join the North London club and the attacking midfielder is likely to remain out of Palace's matchday squad against Chelsea on Sunday as he looks to seal his move.

  2. Forest splash £37.5m on Hutchinson after EL confirmation

    Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich Town for a reported fee of £37.5 million ($51m). Hutchinson joined Ipswich from Chelsea on loan during the 2023-24 campaign and helped the club gain promotion to the Premier League, after which he made his transfer permanent last summer. However, following the club's relegation, the attacking midfielder has joined Forest.

  3. Man Utd keep tabs on Baleba despite pulling plug on £100m+ bid

    Manchester United will continue to monitor Carlos Baleba throughout the season after pulling the plug on their pursuit of the midfielder this summer. United, who were keen on signing the youngster in this window at Ruben Amorim's behest, decided to pull out of the deal on Friday after Brighton reportedly demanded a whopping £115 million ($156m), an amount they received from Moises Caicedo's transfer to Chelsea.

  4. Tuchel embraces Guardiola as he visits City training ground

    England head coach Thomas Tuchel was spotted at Manchester City's training centre as he shared a warm embrace with old adversary Pep Guardiola and was also seen sharing a chat with City and Three Lions defender John Stones. Tuchel is keeping an eye on the Premier League matches ahead of the September international break, where England will play two of World Cup qualifying matches.

  5. club world cup trophy

    Madrid pushing for even MORE changes to Club World Cup format

    Real Madrid are among a host of top European clubs that are pushing for more changes to the Club World Cup format. The revised 32-team competition was held for the first time in the US this summer and Chelsea won the title, beating Paris Saint-Germain in the final. The next edition of the tournament is scheduled to be held in 2029 and after which FIFA might consider hosting it even more frequently.

  6. Barca director defends shock departures of SIX players

    Barcelona director Xavi O’Callaghan opened up on the departures of six crucial squad members this summer from their women's team. The Blaugrana lost the players due to their ongoing financial troubles, which forced them to offload some important players to reduce their wage bill. The Catalan giants, who begin the new season in three weeks, are currently left with only 17 first-team players.