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. 'Put personal interest aside' - Guehi hailed as 'best team-mate' by Tuchel

    Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi was hailed as the "best team-mate" by Thomas Tuchel after his heroics for England following his failed transfer to Liverpool last week. Guehi was on the verge of securing a move to Anfield on deadline day but Palace pulled the plug on the deal in the 11th hour. Despite the disappointment, Guehi gave his best for the Three Lions and scored in their thumping 5-0 win over Serbia.

  2. Forest appoint Postecoglou after Nuno sacking

    Nottingham Forest have appointed Ange Postecoglou as their new permanent manager after sacking Nuno Espirito Santo. A breakdown in relations with club owner Evangelos Marinakis led to Nuno's exit from the City Ground on Tuesday morning, and Forest have moved quickly to replace him. Ex-Tottenham boss Postecoglou's first game back in the Premier League will come when Forest face Arsenal this weekend.

  3. Delap return date revealed with surgery not needed for Chelsea star

    Liam Delap will not need to undergo surgery on his hamstring injury, which clears the Chelsea striker to return to action in November. The English forward limped off in the first half of the Blues' 2-0 win over Fulham on August 30. He will miss the start of Chelsea's Champions League campaign but is expected back sooner than originally expected.

  4. 'I don't know what his thing is' - Sancho ripped to shreds by Carragher

    Jadon Sancho has been ripped to shreds by Jamie Carragher, who claims the Manchester United outcast doesn't have "much ability". Sancho returned to Old Trafford after a season-long spell at Chelsea as the Blues opted against buying the winger permanently. He was instantly relegated to Ruben Amorim's "bomb squad", before eventually being shipped out on loan again on deadline day, this time to Aston Villa.

  1. England sweat on Guehi's fitness ahead of tough Serbia test

    England are sweating on Marc Guehi's fitness ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifying game against Serbia. The Three Lions have maintained a 100 per cent win record in qualifying so far, including the victory over Andorra on Saturday, where Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was on target, but they could be without Crystal Palace star Guehi on Tuesday night.

  2. Rooney reveals hilarious encounter between Van Gaal & Coleen

    England legend Wayne Rooney has opened up on the hilariously awkward first encounter between former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal and his wife, Coleen. Rooney was an important figure in the United squad managed by the legendary Dutch manager between 2014 and 2016. Together they won the FA Cup in the 2015-16 campaign, but it wasn't enough to keep Van Gaal in the job.

  3. Rooney backs Grealish for England recall

    Wayne Rooney has backed Jack Grealish to make an England comeback after he joined Everton on loan in the summer. Grealish ended his struggles at Manchester City during the transfer window by completing a switch to the Toffees. He has made a bright start to his journey on Merseyside, registering four assists in three Premier League games.