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. Neville ranks 'absolute animal' Donnarumma above Raya

    Gary Neville has ranked Manchester City's new goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma above Arsenal's David Raya and compared the Italian with former Manchester stars Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar. Neville labelled the former Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper an "absolute animal" after watching him shine in City's 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Sunday.

  2. 'Time for football to be fair!' - Last-minute Salah Ballon d'Or plea entered

    Egypt boss Hossam Hassan has entered a last-minute please for Mohamed Salah to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or as he appealed for fair treatment for the Liverpool forward. Hassan also hailed Salah as a "role model for all success seekers" in a passionate social media statement. Salah scored 34 goals across all competitions for the Reds last season and played a pivotal role in the team's Premier League title success.

  3. Kansas City Current

    Kansas City become fastest team to clinch NWSL Shield

    The Kansas City Current have become the fastest team to win the NWSL Shield after extending their winning streak to 14 matches. The Current beat Seattle Reign FC 2-0 on Saturday to secure the title with five games to spare in the 2025 season. This was the club's first major trophy since being formed in 2020.

  4. Barcelona legend Ronaldinho to give out 2025 Ballon d'Or

    Barcelona legend Ronaldinho will reportedly give out the 2025 Ballon d'Or in Paris on Monday night as Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal vie for football's most prestigious individual award. Dembele is being tipped as the favourite to win the Golden Ball after playing a key role in Paris Saint-Germain's historic treble success last season.

  1. Arsenal wonderkid Dowman makes history with solo goal

    Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman created history after scoring a stunning solo goal for the Gunners youth side in their 3-2 win over Wolves in Premier League 2 on Saturday. The English teenager, widely regarded as one of the finest young talents in world football, made his senior professional debut for Mikel Arteta's side during a Premier League clash against Leeds last month.

  2. Barca stars join Madrid in skipping Ballon d'Or ceremony

    Barcelona stars Pedri and Robert Lewandowski will join Real Madrid players in skipping the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris on Monday. The Barca duo, along with team-mates Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, have been nominated for the Golden Ball while manager Hansi Flick is in contention to win the best coach's award after guiding the Catalan giants to three titles in his maiden season.

  3. Kane chases down ridiculous Ronaldo & Haaland record

    Harry Kane is chasing down a goal-scoring record set by Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland as he continues to make more history with Bayern Munich. The England captain was in fine form on Saturday as he scored a hat-trick in the Bavarian side's 4-1 win over Hoffenheim. This was Kane's ninth hat-trick since moving to Germany in 2023.

  4. Dias 'doesn't care' about Man City's new rivalry with Arsenal

    Manchester City star Ruben Dias insisted that he does not care about the newly formed rivalry with Arsenal as the Portuguese defender seeks revenge of the 5-1 loss against the Gunners at Emirates Stadium from last season. Mikel Arteta's side have enjoyed a much superior record against Guardiola's men in recent times as they are unbeaten in their last five head-to-head meetings.

  5. Kane receives incredible apology from German media

    Harry Kane received an incredible apology from the German media after some corners of the press previously questioned his €100 million price tag. Kane took his goals tally to eight in four Bundesluga matches for the 2025-26 campaign on Saturday as he scored a hat-trick in Bayern's 4-1 win over Hoffenheim. The England captain has scored 98 goals in 103 appearances since moving from Tottenham in 2023.

  6. Neymar sustains another injury, casts doubt on World Cup

    Neymar has suffered yet another injury blow as his involvement in the World Cup next summer looks bleak. The Brazil icon was left out of Carlo Ancelotti's squad for the September World Cup qualifying games due to an injury and the Santos star has once again picked up a knock, which casts doubt on his participation in Selecao's October international friendlies.

  7. Vinicius Junior

    Vini Jr could quit Madrid if contract demands not met

    Vinicius Junior could consider quitting Real Madrid if his demands over wages are not met. The Brazilian, who has two years left in his existing deal, has been a long-term target for Saudi Pro League clubs, although the winger has always maintained that he sees his long-term future at Santiago Bernabeu. Vinicius has started the new season strongly as he has three goal contributions in five matches.

  8. Rashford's hopes of making permanent Barcelona switch in doubt

    Marcus Rashford's hope of making a permanent switch to Barcelona next summer has hit a roadblock as the Spanish giants are all set to see their spending power slashed by £100m due to La Liga's latest constraints. Rashford has regained his old form since moving on loan to Barcelona from Manchester United in the summer and the player reportedly wishes to stay back beyond this season.

  9. Ekitike warned to brace for bench duty behind 'far better' Isak

    Hugo Ekitike has been told to brace for bench duty behind "far better" Liverpool team-mate Alexander Isak once the British record signing regains full fitness. Ekitike and Isak both joined the Reds this summer as the champions spent heavily in the transfer window to bolster their attack. However, Isak only moved on deadline day and didn't get a full pre-season after essentially going on strike at Newcastle.