Author DP

Swati Bhatia

European football editor

Bio: An avid sports lover, Swati found her passion for football in her teens and has been following the game ever since. A devoted Manchester City supporter and Lionel Messi fan, she enjoys playing EA FC on her PS5 when she is not covering the sport. After completing her Master’s in Journalism in 2022, she has been working in sports media since 2019.

My Football Story: My football journey started later than most. Growing up in a country where cricket was everything, football wasn’t really on my radar, until the 2010 World Cup. That tournament changed everything. Watching Lionel Messi shine in South Africa made me fall in love with the game. Following him at Barcelona led me to discover Pep Guardiola, and when Pep moved on, so did my curiosity. That’s how Manchester City became a part of me. Now, City is the club I live and breathe, with Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez holding a special place in my heart.

Areas of Expertise:

• Premier League

• All things Manchester City

Favourite Footballing Memory: One dream I still hold onto is watching Lionel Messi live, but seeing him lift the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, even through my TV, was a moment I will never forget. In that moment, Messi had achieved everything, and somehow, it felt like I had too.

Articles by Swati Bhatia
  1. De Zerbi has 'a pressure cooker instead of a brain!'

    Marseille’s historic 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain was not without drama, as manager Roberto De Zerbi was sent off in stoppage time for his on-field confrontation with the referee. Pundit Daniel Riolo has since criticised the Italian, warning that his temper could end up costing the team following his latest fiery outburst.

  2. Heitinga denies fears of Ajax sacking after Marseille humbling

    Ajax’s Champions League campaign went from bad to worse on Tuesday night as they were thrashed 4-0 by Marseille at home, their second straight defeat in the competition that has piled even more pressure on their under-fire manager John Heitinga. But despite the humiliation, the Dutchman insists he is not worried about his position at the Eredivisie side.

  1. Villarreal-Barca match in Miami is 'a reward' - La Liga chief

    Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Rafael Louzan has argued that Barcelona and Villarreal’s upcoming match in Miami is part of a broader plan to reward global fans and expand La Liga's international reach. However, he revealed that the Women’s Super Cup, originally proposed to be held in the United States from January 20 to 25, could not go ahead after Real Madrid refused to approve the move.

  2. Jurgen Klopp Red Bull 2025

    Klopp lands new job with German league

    Jurgen Klopp has taken up a new role with the German Football League (DFL) as part of a newly formed expert group aimed at improving the nation's game. The former Liverpool manager, who is currently Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull, joins former Real Madrid star Sami Khedira and several top club officials on the committee.

  3. Bayern make Upamecano contract top priority amid Schlotterbeck interest

    Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl has made it clear that extending Dayot Upamecano’s contract is a top priority for the club. The French centre-back, who joined in 2021, is out of contract next June, and with several European giants circling, Bayern are trying hard to keep one of their key players beyond 2025. However, Upamecano’s high wage demands have made negotiations challenging.