📝Bio: Soham has been living and breathing football stories for almost a decade, carving his path as a news and SEO writer with an instinct for the big moments. Armed with an MA (Honours) in Sports Journalism from Symbiosis International University, he knew early on that his future wouldn’t be on the pitch but behind the pen, shaping narratives about the game he adores. He joined GOAL in 2017 and has since made his mark covering the Indian Super League, I-League, and the Indian national team. Based in Kolkata, where football is a religion, he grew up watching Bhaichung Bhutia scoring goals for fun in India, before falling head over heels for Real Madrid, a club that now dictates the rhythm of his everyday life.⚽My Football Story: It all began back in 2002. A cricket bat in hand, ready to step out, but then the skies opened up. The rain kept me indoors, and that twist of fate led me to the sofa, beside my father, who had a football match on TV. Little did I know at the time but it was the World Cup final: Brazil vs Germany. Forget the goals – what grabbed my imagination was Ronaldo’s haircut and his iconic celebration. From there, cricket slowly faded and football fever took over. By my teenage years, I was sneaking out of bed at 1am to watch the Champions League - fair to say I was hooked for life.
🎯Areas of Expertise:
Social media-specific content
Premier League, Champions League, European & Indian football coverage
Tactical analysis on the Indian national team
World Cup & European Championship tournaments
🌟Favourite Footballing Memory: The day Mohun Bagan demolished East Bengal 5-3 in the Kolkata Derby, with Chidi Edeh scoring four - a moment when the city turned maroon and green. But nothing beats the spine-tingling sight of Sergio Ramos’ 93rd-minute header in Lisbon, the goal that crowned Real Madrid’s La Decima and etched itself into footballing history.📝My All-Time XI: Iker Casillas; Phillip Lahm, Sergio Ramos, Fabio Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos; Claude Makélélé, Ronaldinho, Zinedine Zidane; Cristiano Ronaldo, Raúl, Lionel Messi.
Wayne Rooney has delivered an honest verdict on Benjamin Sesko while also pointing out the player who "simplified things" in Manchester United's 2-0 win over Sunderland. After a turbulent start to the campaign that has piled pressure on manager Ruben Amorim, United finally looked alive again at Old Trafford on Saturday. The win not only lifted them to tenth in the Premier League table but also brought a breath of optimism back among a frustrated fanbase.
Former Bayern Munich and Manchester City winger Leroy Sane found himself at the centre of an ugly Oktoberfest bust-up after being “provoked and personally humiliated” inside a crowded beer tent. The Galatasaray star became involved in a brief fight with a fan after being taunted by a group of Bayern supporters late on Sunday night.
Manchester United academy chief Luke Fedorenko, who helped sign wonderkid JJ Gabriel, will reportedly leave Old Trafford despite the Red Devils’ attempts to keep him at the club. The 35-year-old talent guru has reportedly accepted an offer to join a major football agency, marking the end of an influential nine-year spell shaping the club's youth structure.
Adam Wharton revealed Thomas Tuchel's explanation for his latest England omission as the Crystal Palace star was left out of the upcoming Wales and Latvia clashes. After being recalled for the World Cup qualifiers last month, Wharton was forced to pull out due to an adductor injury. Following his recovery and strong performances at Palace, many expected the midfielder to be reinstated for the October internationals. However, Tuchel, had other plans.
Jack Grealish has been backed for an England recall by Michael Owen following his flying start to life on loan at Everton. The 30-year-old has been nothing short of sensational since swapping Manchester City for a season-long loan move to the newly-built Hill Dickinson Stadium and Owen believes this change of scenery is exactly what the star needed.
Manchester United could be set for a huge Bruno Fernandes transfer decision in January with several clubs reportedly lining up to lure the struggling Red Devils captain away from Old Trafford. The timing couldn’t be worse for United, who are stumbling through a nightmare start to the season, leaving rivals circling like sharks around a sinking ship.
Thomas Frank has sensationally claimed that Tottenham star Archie Gray "has same potential" as Rodri and Declan Rice. Fifteen months after swapping Leeds United for Tottenham Hotspur in a £40 million deal, teenage prodigy Archie Gray is heading back to where it all began. The 19-year-old, once Leeds’ golden boy, has become one of Spurs’ most versatile weapons, racking up 51 appearances across defence and midfield.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been put on notice by Thomas Tuchel, who warned that "being a good citizen isn't enough" as the Arsenal star was told his England spot is at risk. Despite his potential, the teen sensation has found himself on the back foot, facing fierce competition for a spot in Arsenal's starting XI. And now, Tuchel has made it clear he needs more first-team minutes..
Manchester United have been told they should have signed Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta over Benjamin Sesko in the summer transfer window. United endured a dire 2024-25 season upfront, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee combining for just seven Premier League goals. That failure forced the club to throw big money at RB Leipzig’s Sesko, while also bringing in Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been backed to be a "vital" player for Portugal at the 2026 World Cup "regardless of how long he stays on the field". The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, now armed with a record-shattering new two-year contract at Saudi giants Al-Nassr, shows no signs of slowing down. His relentless pursuit of football immortality, including the dream of smashing through the 1,000 career goal barrier, has football fans wondering: just how long can this "machine" keep going?
England and Liverpool legend John Barnes has been declared bankrupt after posing debts of £1.5m through his media firm. The 61-year-old, once the darling of the Kop and a key figure in Bobby Robson’s England side, was handed the crushing order by the High Court last week. The declaration was later published in the London Gazette.
Lionel Messi has been sent a retirement warning with his Inter Miami contract renewal yet to be confirmed. Messi’s future has been the subject of much speculation after it emerged that his first Inter Miami deal does not include a player option beyond 2025. The 38-year-old attacker, who initially signed with Miami in July 2023, will become a free agent in November unless fresh terms are hammered out.
TNT Sports presenter Laura Woods reacted to being "pied" by Jose Mourinho on live TV after Benfica suffered a 1-0 Champions League defeat to Chelsea. The visitors were undone by a cruel own goal from Richard Ríos in the 18th minute of the game, and for Mourinho, it marked yet another frustrating return to Stamford Bridge.
Mikel Arteta opened up on Viktor Gyokeres' lean patch of form after the Arsenal striker fired another blank against Newcastle United. The Swede, who joined the Gunners from Sporting CP this summer, has netted only three goals in eight appearances across all competitions, and Sunday’s clash saw him stifled by the Magpies' rugged defence.
Jose Mourinho was grateful for the warm reception he received from Chelsea fans but made it clear that it was no consolation after Benfica's Champions League defeat at Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese walked back into the stadium that made him a legend and was met with a roar only reserved for serial champions. But while the love was loud, the night was cruel for Benfica.
Harry Kane opened up on his relationship with Nicolas Jackson after Bayern Munich's Champions League rout of Pafos. The Bavarians unleashed a merciless storm in Cyprus, tearing apart Pafos with a crushing 5-1 continental triumph. Kane bagged a brace, Raphael Guerreiro and Michael Olise also chipped in, and Jackson grabbed his first goal since arriving from Chelsea in the summer window.
Josh Windass revealed a gruesome injury to his social media followers after coming off early in Wrexham's Championship draw with Leicester City. The Foxes went ahead in the first half through Jordan James’ and held onto their lead until the 77th minute. However, nerves and wastefulness opened the door for Wrexham, with Nathan Broadhead grabbing a late equaliser at the King Power Stadium.
Alejandro Garnacho broke his silence on his bitter Manchester United exit after an impressive performance for Chelsea during their Champions League win over Benfica. The Argentine winger shone under the lights of Stamford Bridge as Chelsea edged past Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League. His dangerous cross forced Richard Rios into an own goal, sealing a priceless 1-0 win for Enzo Maresca’s side.
Ruben Amorim has been accused of "killing Benjamin Sesko's confidence" amid the Manchester United striker's slow start to life at Old Trafford. The Slovenian arrived from RB Leipzig this summer carrying the weight of expectation, tipped to solve United’s long-standing striker crisis. However, the 21-year-old has only scored once in his first seven appearances and is already being branded another expensive flop.
Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was left fuming after being hit with a "mind boggling" suspension, while David Moyes called out the "poor level" of Premier League refereeing following a "shabby decision" during his team's 1-1 draw against West Ham. Dewsbury-Hall was booked for a challenge on Kyle Walker-Peters, a decision that now sidelines him for Everton's next Premier League game against Crystal Palace on Sunday.