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. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. Zidane's son receives first international call-up

    Zinedine Zidane's son Luca has earned his first national team call-up as he has been included in Algeria's squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Luca, born in France, has represented the French national team at youth level, but never broke into the senior team. However, the former Real Madrid goalkeeper has finally got an opportunity to make his international debut.

  1. Kane on fire again as Bayern rip through Pafos

    Harry Kane increased his goals tally to 17 in the 2025-26 campaign with a brace, while Michael Olise starred with two assists as Bayern Munich thrashed Champions League newcomers Pafos 5-1 on Tuesday. Nicolas Jackson scored his maiden goal for the Bavarian side since moving to Germany from Chelsea on loan on deadline day and ex-Liverpool star Luis Diaz contributed with an assist.

  2. Injury blow for Tottenham as striker undergoes surgery

    Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a fresh injury blow as manager Thomas Frank confirmed that star striker Dominic Solanke has undergone surgery on his ankle injury. Solanke has not featured for Spurs since their 2-0 win over Manchester City in August. Solanke came on as a substitute in place of Richarlison and spent the final 12 minutes of the game on the pitch.

  3. Payday for Saka: Arsenal ready blockbuster new contract

    Arsenal are preparing a blockbuster new contract for Bukayo Saka that will make the England international one of the top earners at the North London club. Saka has entered the final two years of his existing deal with the Gunners and the club now want their star player to put pen to paper on a new deal and commit his future to them on a long-term basis.

  4. 'Very humble' De Bruyne catches Napoli by surprise

    New Napoli signing Sam Beukema heaped praise on team-mate Kevin De Bruyne as the defender claimed that he was left "surprised" by the Manchester City legend's humility. De Bruyne, who left City after 10 years this summer to join Napoli on a free transfer, has made a bright start to his life in Italy as he has already scored two goals in five appearances for his club, across all competitions.

  5. What an impact, Lamine Yamal: Barca sub inspires vital win

    Lamine Yamal returned to the Barcelona matchday squad and had an instant impact as he his assist led to Robert Lewandowski scoring the winning goal in the second half. Yamal started on the bench against Real Sociedad and was introduced in the game just a minute before the hour mark. He came on and within a few seconds played a perfect cross for the Polish forward to score.

  6. Van Dijk slams Liverpool team-mates for Palace loss

    Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk slammed his team-mates after a frustrating loss to Crystal Palace but the Dutchman thanked Alisson for keeping the score down, while hailing the Brazilian as the "best goalkeeper in the world". Liverpool suffered their first defeat across all competitions in the 2025-26 campaign as Eddie Nketiah's late winner helped Palace secure a crucial win.