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. Maresca explains reason for Chelsea owners' dressing room visit

    Enzo Maresca explained why Chelsea's owners visited the Blues' dressing after a humiliating loss in the Premier League against Brighton on Saturday. After the disappointing home defeat, Chelsea's co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali, along with several club officials marched straight into the dressing room. Maresca, however, played down the incident by claiming it is a regular occurrence.

  2. 'Never felt like a genius' - Mourinho a 'much better' coach now

    Jose Mourinho claims that he feels that he is a 'much better coach than before' as the Benfica boss prepares for a reunion with his former club Chelsea in the Champions League. After losing his job at Fenerbahce last month, Mourinho returned to his homeland to take charge of Benfica. Under the veteran coach, the Liga Portugal side have registered two wins and a draw thus far.

  3. Nketiah receives 'thank you messages' from Arsenal

    Crystal Palace hero Eddie Nketiah received "thank you messages" from his former club Arsenal after he scored a last-gasp winner against the Gunners' title rivals Liverpool on Saturday. Ismaila Sarr opened the scoring for Palace before Federico Chiesa equalised in the 87th minute. Nketiah, however, stole the limelight in the end by scoring a crucial late goal.

  4. Man Utd legend loses job just four games into new role

    Former Manchester United star and France's World Cup-winning defender Laurent Blanc has been relieved of his duties as head coach of Saudi Pro League giants Al-Ittihad. The decision came only a day after the reigning Saudi champions suffered a 2-0 defeat against Cristiano Ronaldo-led Al-Nassr. It was Al-Ittihad's third defeat in the 2025-26 campaign, which led to Blanc's sacking.

  5. Arteta forced to restrain coach who clashed with Joelinton

    Arsenal's clash with Newcastle United turned ugly on Sunday as Mikel Arteta was forced to restrain one of his coaching staff who clashed with Joelinton at full-time. The Gunners came from behind to beat the Magpies 2-1 as Eddie Howe's side continue to struggle at the bottom half of the league table after registering just one win in six games in the Premier League this season.

  1. Man Utd players 'ASTONISHED' by woeful start to new season

    Manchester United players are "astonished" by their woeful start to the 2025-26 campaign as the dressing room spirals into disharmony. United have lost three out of their first six league matches and are currently placed 14th in the table, a place above where they finished the 2024-25 season. Questions have been raised about Ruben Amorim's system and his future has also come under the scanner.

  2. Klopp emerges as top target to replace sacked Man Utd legend

    Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has emerged as a top target for Saudi giants Al-Ittihad after they parted ways with Manchester United legend Laurent Blanc after just four matches in the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League campaign. Blanc was relieved of his duties a day after Al-Ittihad suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of Al-Nassr, with Sadio Mane and Cristiano Ronaldo on target.

  3. 'Crazy world' - Maresca reacts to Chelsea sack rumours

    Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has claimed that he does not have to defend himself amid rumours of his sacking as Blues boss. The Premier League giants have lost three out of their last five matches across all competitions, including back-to-back defeats in the league against Manchester United and Brighton. Chelsea players were booed at Stamford Bridge after their latest loss against the Seagulls.

  4. Wrexham icon announces retirement in heartfelt post

    Wrexham icon Steven Fletcher has announced his retirement from professional football after being released by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney-owned side at the end of the 2024-25 campaign. The 38-year-old, who has played for several clubs across England, Scotland and France in his two-decade-long career, finally decided to bring the curtain down on his illustrious journey.

  5. Slot reveals why in-form Chiesa was left out of UCL squad

    Liverpool boss Arne Slot revealed why star winger Federico Chiesa was left out of the Reds squad for their upcoming Champions League fixture against Galatasaray this week. The Italian displayed impressive performances in the club's last couple of matches. After starring with two assists in the win over Southampton, he scored the Reds' solitary goal against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

  6. Strand Larsen insists he could still leave Wolves

    Jorgen Strand Larsen has admitted to being affected by Wolves' stance on a transfer away this summer as the club blocked his proposed move to Newcastle. At the end of the window, Strand Larsen stayed at Molineux and earlier this month he signed a new long-term contract. However, despite committing his future to Wolves, the Norwegian striker hinted that he could move on in future.

  7. Spurs reject national team bid to call up injured player

    Tottenham have rejected Romania's bid to call up injured defender Radu Dragusin national team for their fixtures next month. Dragusin sustained an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear during an Europa League match in January and has not played competitive football since then. Romania are scheduled to face Moldova in a friendly match, before taking on Austria in a World Cup qualifier.