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. Gyokeres speaks out on 'fiasco' as Sweden sack manager

    Viktor Gyokeres has discussed his recent blanks for Sweden following their dismal World Cup qualifying loss against Kosovo on Monday. The defeat led to the sacking of manager Jon Dahl Tomasson as the Swedes are virtually out of contention to qualify for the tournament in North America next summer. This was Sweden's second consecutive home loss during the October international window.

  2. Como claim Milan clash in Australia for 'survival' of Serie A

    Como have issued a statement addressing fans on the sensitive subject of facing AC Milan in a Serie A clash in Australia next year, as they claimed that the clash is for the survival of the league. The match, set for February 2026, will be the first Serie A match held outside Italy. While UEFA reiterated that this approval "should not set a precedent", the move has drawn sharp criticism from players and fans alike.

  3. Spurs prospect trains alongside senior Three Lions

    Tottenham Hotspur prospect Dane Scarlett was spotted training alongside the senior England national team as the search for Harry Kane's long-term successor begins. Scarlett, who has represented England at various junior age groups, was called up by Thomas Tuchel to train with the Three Lions after star striker Ollie Watkins had to pull out of the squad due to an injury.

  4. Endrick tipped to make January move to Serie A giants

    Endrick could make a shock move to the Serie A as Juventus are reportedly keen on signing the out-of-favour Real Madrid youngster. After a difficult debut campaign at Santiago Bernabeu, which saw the teenager struggle for game time under Carlo Ancelotti, things have worsened under Xabi Alonso as the Selecao star has yet to feature in a La Liga or Champions League in the new season.

  5. 'I'll definitely return' - Zidane outlines plan to be France boss

    Zinedine Zidane has outlined his plan to become the next manager of the France national team as the former Real Madrid boss opened up on how his 'life changed' after retirement. Zidane has managed Los Blancos over two stints and enjoyed overwhelming success, which includes winning the Champions League three times and La Liga twice at Santiago Bernabeu.

  6. Spain boss De la Fuente makes contradictory claim about Olmo

    Barcelona's injury war with the Spanish national team continued as La Roja manager Luis de la Fuente made a contradictory claim about Dani Olmo's injury. The Barcelona attacking midfielder was left out of the Spain squad for their 2-0 win over Georgia on Saturday and the 27-year-old has now been released from the national team as he won't regain full fitness ahead of their upcoming clash on Tuesday.

  7. Klopp sends out strong message to Liverpool fans about Wirtz

    Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has sent out a strong message to Reds fans about new signing Florian Wirtz following the German midfielder's slow start to life at Anfield. Wirtz moved to Merseyside on a blockbuster £116 million ($156m) transfer from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, but the star player is yet to deliver with a goal or an assist in the Premier League and Champions League.

  8. Madrid earmark Haaland as Vini Jr replacement

    Real Madrid have earmarked Erling Haaland as Vincius Junior's replacement as the Spanish giants make the Manchester City star a priority target if the Brazilian leaves the club and moves to Saudi Arabia. Vinicius Jr has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League for almost two years now. The winger has yet to agree to sign a new Los Blancos contract, with only two years left in his existing deal.

  1. Spurs star returns to form with hat-trick for England U-19s

    Tottenham star Mikey Moore returned to form with a stunning hat-trick in England Under-19s' thumping 4-1 win over Belgium on Saturday. Moore scored his maiden hat-trick for England in the U19 age group as Will Antwi's side marched towards a comprehensive victory in the first of the two international friendlies they are scheduled to play during the October break.

  2. Rodrygo

    Rodrygo opens up on 'difficult' absence from Brazil squad

    Rodrygo has opened up on his "difficult" absence from the Brazil national team amid his battle to earn Xabi Alonso's trust at Real Madrid. After missing the last two international windows, Rodrygo is finally back in the national team setup after receiving a call-up from his former coach Carlo Ancelotti for the friendlies in October against Asian giants South Korea and Japan.

  3. Mourinho piles pressure on Martinez with World Cup demand

    Jose Mourinho has piled the pressure on Roberto Martinez as the Benfica boss insisted that Portugal must aim to win the World Cup next year. The Selecao boast one of the best squads in Europe with players like Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva in midfield and an attack spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal are also fresh from winning the Nations League this year.

  4. Huijsen forced to pull out of Spain squad for October qualifiers

    Real Madrid centre-back Dean Huijsen has pulled out of the Spain squad for the October World Cup qualifiers after he suffered a muscular injury. Huijsen, who joined Los Blancos from Bournemouth this summer, has appeared in all of Madrid's matches, except for the Espanyol clash, where he was suspended. He also played the full match against Villarreal last weekend.

  5. Zirkzee wants out: Man Utd striker seeking January exit

    Joshua Zirkzee is reportedly desperate to exit Old Trafford in the January transfer window as his 'frustration has escalated significantly' over his lack of game time under Ruben Amorim this season. The Dutch attacker has featured in just three Premier League games in 2025-26 and is yet to start in any of their matches. His total accumulated game time is 82 minutes.

  6. Grealish received England explanation from Tuchel

    Jack Grealish revealed that he got a call from England manager Thomas Tuchel after failing to make his 24-member Three Lions squad for the upcoming international games against Wales and Latvia. Grealish moved to Everton from Manchester City on loan this summer and has got off to a bright start under David Moyes and also won the Player of the Month award for August.

  7. Why Bayern didn’t battle Liverpool for Wirtz transfer

    Bayern Munich chief has claimed that the Bundesliga champions "can afford any transfer they want", while explaining why they did not compete with Liverpool for Florian Wirtz's transfer. The Reds beat Bayern and Manchester City in the race to sign Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen this summer as they paid a whopping £116 million ($156m), a British transfer record at the time.

  8. Kane can't stop scoring: Bayern ace makes history

    Harry Kane scripted more Bundesliga history as he scored in Bayern Munich's 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Saturday. Former Liverpool star Luis Diaz also had a fabulous outing as he contribute with a brace including his first goal which came in the 15th second of the game. Kane is now the first player in history to score 11 goals in his six league appearances in a season.

  9. Amorim explains decision to bench Bayindir for Lammens

    Ruben Amorim has explained why he dropped Altay Bayindir from Manchester United's starting lineup against Sunderland in the Premier League. After a series of disappointing performances for the Red Devils, Amorim benched the Turkey international as he handed a debut to deadline day signing Senne Lammens. The Belgian custodian was finally handed the chance to play more than a month after moving from Royal Antwerp.