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. Bellingham leaves brother Jobe confused by Sinatra-inspired post

    Jude Bellingham left his brother Jobe confused with a Frank Sinatra-themed Instagram post as Real Madrid star enjoys time off amid exile from the England national team. Bellingham has returned to action for Madrid after undergoing a shoulder injury in the summer. He is still working his way back to full match fitness and sharpness, which prompted Thomas Tuchel to overlook the midfield star in the Three Lions squad.

  2. Arsenal star considering switching international team for WC

    Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera is considering switching international allegiance from Spain after being promised a spot elsewhere at the 2026 World Cup in North America. Mosquera, born in the city of Alicante, has represented the Spanish national team at various youth levels, but he has yet to break into the senior squad. With the World Cup fast approaching, the 21-year-old is considering representing another nation.

  3. Solskjaer approached by Rangers as Martin replacement

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be set to return to Britain in a coaching role as Rangers have approached the Manchester United legend. Only a few days ago, Solskjaer's former assistant coach at Old Trafford, Michael Carrick was linked with the managerial job at Ibrox. The Scottish giants parted ways with Russell Martin after just two months of the 2025-26 campaign.

  4. Haaland's new fashion sense features flat cap and £10k bag

    Erling Haaland showed off his eccentric new fashion sense on Instagram as he posed donning a flat cap and holding a bag worth nearly £10,000. Haaland is currently enjoying a brief holiday in Spain after being released from the Norway squad in the middle of the international window. The goal machine scored a hat-trick against Israel in a World Cup qualifying game last week, but will not feature in an upcoming friendly.

  5. Gyokeres speaks out on 'fiasco' as Sweden sack manager

    Viktor Gyokeres has discussed his recent blanks for Sweden following their dismal World Cup qualifying loss against Kosovo on Monday. The defeat led to the sacking of manager Jon Dahl Tomasson as the Swedes are virtually out of contention to qualify for the tournament in North America next summer. This was Sweden's second consecutive home loss during the October international window.

  6. Liverpool star reveals he is 'too afraid' to spend lucrative salary

    Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate has revealed that he is "too afraid" to spend heavily on luxuries despite earning a reported £70,000-per-week at Anfield. The French defender is in the final year of his existing deal and has yet to agree to put pen to paper on a new Reds contract. Konate has attracted interest from Real Madrid, but he is yet to make a final decision on his future in the Premier League.

  7. Liverpool forward told to pull his weight

    Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has been told to contribute more on the left flank as the Reds continue to struggle defensively in the 2025-26 season. Arne Slot's side made a perfect start to their title defence campaign but have now faltered in the past few weeks as they have lost three matches in a row across all competitions against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea.

  8. Como claim AC Milan clash in Australia is for 'survival' of Serie A

    Como have issued a statement addressing fans on the sensitive subject of facing AC Milan in a Serie A clash in Australia next year, as they claimed that the clash is for the survival of the league. The match, set for February 2026, will be the first Serie A match held outside Italy. While UEFA reiterated that this approval "should not set a precedent", the move has drawn sharp criticism from players and fans alike.

  1. Spurs prospect trains alongside senior Three Lions

    Tottenham Hotspur prospect Dane Scarlett was spotted training alongside the senior England national team as the search for Harry Kane's long-term successor begins. Scarlett, who has represented England at various junior age groups, was called up by Thomas Tuchel to train with the Three Lions after star striker Ollie Watkins had to pull out of the squad due to an injury.

  2. Endrick tipped to make shock January move to Serie A giants

    Endrick could make a shock move to the Serie A as Juventus are reportedly keen on signing the out-of-favour Real Madrid youngster. After a difficult debut campaign at Santiago Bernabeu, which saw the teenager struggle for game time under Carlo Ancelotti, things have worsened under Xabi Alonso as the Selecao star has yet to feature in a La Liga or Champions League in the new season.

  3. Ex-Man Utd star in frame for Rangers job after Gerrard says no

    Former Manchester United star Michael Carrick is in frame to take over as Rangers manager after Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard decided to step away from the race to replace Russell Martin at the Scottish club. After a poor start to the 2025-26 campaign, which saw fans protesting against Martin and demanding his removal, the head coach was finally sacked from his position earlier this month.

  4. Nico Paz Como prima maglia

    Real told they can re-sign wonderkid Paz 'whenever they want'

    Real Madrid have been told that they can re-sign their youth player Nico Paz 'whenever they want' as Como president reveals their transfer plan. Madrid sold Paz to Como in 2024 but they have the option in the deal to re-sign the wonderkid for €9m in 2026 or €10m in 2027, a fraction of his current market value. Since moving to Italy last year, Paz has thrived under Cesc Fabregas.

  5. 'Totally normal person' - Mbappe lifts lid on life with Messi at PSG

    Kylian Mbappe has opened up on what it was like to play with Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain and also revealed why he 'wants to thank' the Inter Miami star. Mbappe played alongside Messi for two seasons in the French capital after the Argentina captain moved to the Ligue 1 giants on a free transfer after leaving boyhood club Barcelona in the summer of 2021.

  6. 'I'll definitely return' - Zidane outlines plan to be France boss

    Zinedine Zidane has outlined his plan to become the next manager of the France national team as the former Real Madrid boss opened up on how his 'life changed' after retirement. Zidane has managed Los Blancos over two stints and enjoyed overwhelming success, which includes winning the Champions League three times and La Liga twice at Santiago Bernabeu.

  7. Klopp sends out strong message to Liverpool fans about Wirtz

    Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has sent out a strong message to Reds fans about new signing Florian Wirtz following the German midfielder's slow start to life at Anfield. Wirtz moved to Merseyside on a blockbuster £116 million ($156m) transfer from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, but the star player is yet to deliver with a goal or an assist in the Premier League and Champions League.

  8. Spain boss De la Fuente makes contradictory claim about Olmo

    Barcelona's injury war with the Spanish national team continued as La Roja manager Luis de la Fuente made a contradictory claim about Dani Olmo's injury. The Barcelona attacking midfielder was left out of the Spain squad for their 2-0 win over Georgia on Saturday and the 27-year-old has now been released from the national team as he won't regain full fitness ahead of their upcoming clash on Tuesday.