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. Palace line-up move for Eze replacement from PL rivals

    Crystal Palace have already identified Eberechi Eze's replacement as the England international is all set to complete his transfer to Totteham Hotspur. Spurs and Palace are in advanced negotiations as they look to thrash out the final details of Eze's move to north London. With Eze's departure now all but confirmed, the Eagles will have to sign his replacement before the summer window closes.

  2. Trouble at Marseille! De Zerbi suspends two of Greenwood's team-mates

    Roberto De Zerbi has suspended Jonathan Rowe and Adrien Rabiot for their dressing room bust-up following Marseille's loss against 10-man Rennes in their Ligue 1 opener last week. Following the defeat, chaos broke out in the dressing room, where several players turned on each other in frustration. English winger Rowe was accused of a lack of effort, sparking a clash with Rabiot.

  3. Man Utd urged to give Amorim more time by Evra

    Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has urged the club to be patient while dealing with Ruben Amorim as the Frenchman believes that continuously changing managers won't solve the club's ongoing issues. Evra also backed his former team to bounce back in the 2025-26 campaign and surprise everyone, although United started the new season with a loss against Arsenal at home.

  1. Isak's team-mate stands by striker after public NUFC spat

    Alexander Isak's compatriot Robin Nelson says he stands by the Newcastle forward after he made his spat with the Magpies public with a bombshell statement on Tuesday. Isak claimed in his long rant that his relationship with the Magpies is over as his stand-off with them continues regarding a possible transfer to Liverpool this summer. Isak is no longer part of Eddie Howe's first team and his training alone.

  2. Wrexham in negotiations to land Rennes ace

    Wrexham are eyeing a move for Rennes star Jordan James after a disappointing start to their Championship 2025-26 campaign. The Red Dragons spent heavily in the transfer market in the summer to rebuild their squad, but lost their opening two matches against Southampton and West Brom. Thus, the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney-owned side are now preparing to make further additions to bolster their team.

  3. Arsenal's London rivals eye move for Jurrien's brother Quinten

    West Ham have shown interest in signing Arsenal star Jurrien Timber's twin brother Quinten from Feyenoord as Graham Potter looks to bolster the team's midfield. The Hammers are rattled by the team's disastrous start to the new season as they lost 3-0 to Sunderland and the defeat has prompted Potter to act swiftly in the transfer market, as he looks to sign two more midfielders.

  4. Villarreal agree club-record deal to sign Veiga from Chelsea

    Renato Veiga is all set to end his nightmare at Chelsea, as Villarreal have agreed on a club record deal with the Blues to sign the Portuguese defender. Veiga, who moved to Stamford Bridge in 2024 from Basel, never really settled in West London and struggled for game time. In January 2025, he was loaned to Serie A giants Juventus on a short-term deal.

  5. Napoli open talks to land Hojlund as Man Utd aim to sell

    Napoli have initiated fresh transfer talks with Manchester United outcast Rasmus Hojlund, as they look to replace the injured Romelu Lukaku in their squad. Hojlund has been part of Amorim's 'bomb squad' since the start of United's pre-season and with Benjamin Sesko's arrival at the club, it is evident that the Danish forward no longer features in the United coach's plans.

  6. Palmer locked in legal row with French vineyard

    Chelsea and England star Cole Palmer has been locked in a legal battle with a French vineyard, Chateau Palmer, over trademarking his name. Palmer reportedly wanted to trademark his famous "ice cold" goal celebration with the name "Cold Palmer", but the England international's application is now facing a legal challenge from a winery based out of Bordeaux in France.