📝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 boss Mikel Arteta has provided a promising update regarding the fitness of Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber, and Riccardo Calafiori ahead of the new Premier League season. Speaking after his side’s narrow 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong, the Spanish manager expressed confidence that the trio will be ready to feature when the Gunners kick off their campaign against Manchester United on August 17.
Leeds United are reportedly exploring options to bolster their midfield ahead of the new Premier League campaign, with Portuguese talent Florentino Luís emerging as a serious target. The Whites are reportedly among a trio of English clubs interested in luring the Benfica player to England this summer, as they look to add strength and depth to Daniel Farke’s squad.
Paris Saint-Germain are closing in on the signing of Illya Zabarnyi from AFC Bournemouth, with the transfer reportedly in its final stages. The 22-year-old Ukrainian centre-back is poised to join the reigning Ligue 1 champions, with only a few minor formalities left before the agreement is officially concluded.
Tottenham Hotspur emerged triumphant in a heated North London derby, held for the first time no foreign soil, defeating Arsenal 1-0 at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong. The highly anticipated friendly turned into a showcase for Pape Matar Sarr, who delivered a moment of brilliance to settle the contest in Spurs' favour.
Alexander Isak’s hopes of securing a switch to Liverpool have taken an unexpected twist, with the Swedish forward now reportedly ready to consider a nuclear option that could see him unilaterally terminate his contract at the club.
Ruben Amorim has devised a special plan for Rasmus Hojlund if Manchester United complete the signing of Benjamin Sesko deal from RB Leipzig. United are closing in on the signing of Sesko, with the club’s hierarchy now actively negotiating with the German side over a £70 million ($92m) deal.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr have set their sights on a high-profile defensive addition as they look to lure Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae to Riyadh. According to reports from Foot Mercato, the Saudi Pro League side has entered negotiations with the German champions to explore the possibility of acquiring the South Korean international this summer.
Wrexham have been handed an audacious transfer boost as Tottenham star Ben Davies refused to commit his future to Spurs. The experienced Wales international, who has been a fixture at Spurs for over a decade, has acknowledged that decisions about his next move may soon be out of his hands.
Jamie Carragher took centre stage when Liverpool kicked off their new era with adidas by unveiling their home and away kits for the 2025-26 campaign early Friday morning. However, as the former centre-back posed in the brand-new kit as part of the official launch materials, he captured attention not just for his throwback look but also for a cheeky post that followed on social media.
Everton supporters have always appreciated players who reflect their own values of hard work, humility and resilience and in Portuguese striker Beto, they’ve found exactly that. At 25, Beto arrived on Merseyside from Serie A outfit Udinese in a £25.75 million move, carrying with him a compelling personal story that resonates far beyond the pitch.
Anthony Gordon sympathised with Alexander Isak, who is heavily linked with a move away from Newcastle to Liverpool. The Sweden international is reportedly pushing for a move away from St James’ Park, a situation that closely mirrors Gordon’s own experience a year ago.
The north London rivalry has found a new lease of life on social media after Tottenham forward Richarlison took a cheeky swipe at Arsenal’s Gabriel following their pre-season meeting in Hong Kong. The Brazilian striker, who played a key role in Spurs’ 1-0 win over the Gunners, took to Instagram to share a photo of his Man of the Match trophy and that sparked a online feud between the two stars.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hailed Mason Greenwood as the "star boy" as the former Arsenal striker admitted his excitement at linking up with the English forward at Marseille. The 36-year-old forward, who previously spent the 2023–24 season with the French club, returns after parting ways with Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah earlier this month. He left the Saudi club on a free transfer and has reportedly signed a new deal that keeps him at Marseille until the summer of 2027.
Simon Wiles has been named the new head coach for Liverpool's Under-18s. The highly regarded young coach steps into the role vacated by Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, who left the club at the conclusion of last season after a decade-long tenure. Bridge-Wilkinson has since moved on to become the assistant manager at League One club Huddersfield Town.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has become the subject of renewed interest from Saudi Arabia, with Al-Nassr now making a formal approach to sign the Portuguese playmaker. According to Abola, the Saudi Pro League club has taken active steps this week in pursuit of the 30-year-old midfielder as they look to challenge for domestic and continental honours.
A dramatic reshuffling is underway at Manchester United as Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia will reportedly remain excluded from first-team operations. Although they will continue to train at the Carrington facility, they will have to do so under separate arrangements.
Armando Broja is reportedly on the verge of sealing a permanent transfer to Burnley after the Clarets reached an agreement with Chelsea. The 22-year-old forward has endured a difficult few years, beginning with an Achilles tendon rupture that sidelined him for a lengthy spell. Unfortunately, further misfortune followed when he sustained a significant ankle injury shortly after returning to action.
Manchester United are reportedly willing to make a substantial offer for rising Barcelona star Fermin Lopez, with Sport claiming the Premier League club have tabled a £61 million ($70m) bid in the hope of luring the midfielder away from Camp Nou. Within the Barcelona camp, while some still believe in his long-term value to the squad, others are warming to the idea of parting ways, if a hefty proposal arrives.
Sheffield United forward Kieffer Moore is on the verge of completing a permanent transfer to Wrexham, with a medical scheduled for Saturday as the final step in the £2 million agreement, as revealed by Sky Sports. The transfer highlights Wrexham’s continued ambition following their recent promotion, with owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney once again putting their trust, and financial resources, behind manager Phil Parkinson.
Harry Kane is "delighted" to play alongside Luis Diaz after the Liverpool star made his debut against Lyon on Saturday. Despite the game not being a flawless introduction for Díaz, the Colombian international displayed flashes of his talent that have already impressed the English forward.