📝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.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera has hit an early snag after the Spanish club reportedly dismissed the Gunners’ opening bid. According to Radio Marca Valencia, the La Liga outfit have already turned down an offer that fell short of their €20 million (£17m/$23.5m) asking price for the highly-rated 21-year-old.
Crystal Palace’s wait to learn whether they can participate in the Europa League next season has been extended. A decision from UEFA, initially expected on Friday, has been pushed back to Monday at the earliest, prolonging the uncertainty surrounding the club’s European campaign. At the heart of the inquiry is Palace’s ownership structure and whether it violates UEFA’s rules on multi-club ownership.
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso lost a key figure ahead of Juventus clash, with David Alaba ruled out for the remainder of the Club World Cup. The 33-year-old Austrian international had been sidelined since April after sustaining a meniscus injury in his left knee, which required surgery. Though he was making progress in his rehabilitation, his latest calf problem has forced Madrid to rule him out.
Arsenal have received a potential breakthrough in their long-standing interest in Benjamin Sesko, with reports suggesting that RB Leipzig may be willing to negotiate a lower fee than initially demanded. The Premier League club has been actively searching for a top-tier striker this summer, and Sesko has consistently remained their preferred option.
Joao Felix could be on the verge of a homecoming as Benfica reportedly weigh a £25.6 million offer for the forward, whose form has declined significantly since he left Portuguese shores in 2019. The Chelsea attacker, currently under contract until 2031, endured an uninspiring loan spell at AC Milan last season, and now finds himself at a crossroads once again.
Cole Palmer has been labelled as the "little superstar" by a Chelsea teammate who has backed the England international to shine under the increasing pressure of expectation. At just 23 years of age, Palmer has taken on the responsibility of being a central figure in Chelsea’s campaign, and his composure in the spotlight has been a defining trait in his development.
Phil Parkinson labelled the Championship as a "relentless league" and issued a stern warning to Wrexham players about the potential challenges of the English second tier. The Red Dragons happen to be the only team in the division who have no prior Premier League experience. Having last competed at this level in 1982, the Welsh side now faces the daunting task of navigating one of the toughest leagues in English football.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has firmly shut down any speculation surrounding the possible departure of teenage defender Josh Acheampong. Despite mounting interest from clubs across both England and Europe, the Stamford Bridge hierarchy has made it clear that the 19-year-old is staying put, at least for now.
Lionel Messi 'didn't have one good moment' during his Paris Saint-Germain spell due to Neymar's rivalry with Kylian Mbappe. A figure said to be close to the legendary Argentine has offered a rare insight into his uncomfortable two-year stint in the French capital, revealing he felt alienated and undermined amid internal tensions at the club.
England have received a major lift ahead of their Euro 2025 campaign as Chelsea forward Lauren James has been cleared to play in the upcoming friendly against Jamaica. This will mark her first appearance since April following a hamstring issue that sidelined her for three months. She is expected to feature as a substitute at the King Power Stadium, as manager Sarina Wiegman carefully manages her return to full fitness.
England women’s manager Sarina Wiegman has expressed her gratitude towards the Football Association for reaffirming their faith in her leadership ahead of the 2025 UEFA Women’s European Championship. As the Lionesses prepare to head to Switzerland next month to defend the title they clinched in 2022, Wiegman has received assurances that her position is secure beyond the tournament, regardless of its outcome.
Arsenal have finalised the signing of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea after activating a £5 million ($7m) release clause in his contract. This transfer marks the end of Arrizabalaga’s seven-year spell at Chelsea, during which he made 163 appearances and secured four major trophies. His initial switch to the Blues in 2018 from Athletic Club for £72m ($99m) still stands as the most expensive transfer ever for a goalkeeper.
Manchester United star Matheus Cunha has been making the most of his off-season, spending quality time in Brazil. The 26-year-old was spotted unwinding after a busy season and ahead of the challenges that await him at Old Trafford. He joined United in a £62.5 million ($86m) transfer from Wolves and will be tasked with breathing life into an insipid attack that managed to score just 44 league goals.
Sky Sports is gearing up to bring back a familiar favourite to football fans as part of its programming revamp for the upcoming 2025/26 Premier League season. According to Mail Sport, the network is set to reintroduce a programme reminiscent of the much-loved Sunday Supplement, which was shelved in 2020 after two decades on air.
Nottingham Forest have taken the first step in the pursuit of highly-rated winger Malick Fofana by reaching an agreement with Ligue 1 side Lyon, as revealed by Fabrizio Romano. The 20-year-old Belgian is one of the most sought-after young forwards in Europe and although the clubs have agreed on terms, Forest still need to secure the player’s approval before finalising the transfer.
Former Manchester United star Brandon Williams could be heading to Turkey to reignite his career as the 24-year-old full-back has emerged as a transfer target for Turkish giants Besiktas, where he could reunite with his former manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as revealed by The Daily Mail. Sources close to the player suggest that early discussions have taken place, signalling mutual interest between both parties.
Newcastle United have expressed regret after including an image in their latest promotional content that sparked concerns of cultural insensitivity. The issue arose from a video unveiling their new third kit, produced in collaboration with Adidas, which inadvertently featured a flag resembling a controversial historical symbol.
Manchester United have taken the first step toward exploring a move for Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi, reaching out to the Serie A giants to gather information regarding a potential summer transfer, as revealed by Caught Offside. His future at the San Siro appears uncertain, with several European clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, Roma, and Atletico Madrid, also monitoring the situation closely.
Juventus have reportedly reignited their interest in Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho by proposing a swap deal that includes a selection of three players from their current squad, according to GiveMeSport. Among the names floated during early-stage discussions are United States international Tim Weah, midfielder Douglas Luiz, and Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic.
Coleen Rooney has firmly stepped into the financial spotlight of the Rooney household, after her business activities and brand endorsements helped her company, CWR 2021, record a £1.3 million profit. Recent financial disclosures for the year ending September 2024 revealed that her company’s earnings more than tripled over a 12-month period, a significant leap reflecting the momentum behind her media and commercial ventures.