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. Marcos Rojo forced to change name at new club for petty reason

    Former Manchester United and Argentina defender Marcos Rojo has been forced to drop his name from the back of his shirt at his new club due to a hilarious rivalry reason. Rojo left Argentine giants Boca Juniors this summer after his contract was ripped up by the club. He switched to fellow top division side Racing Club as a free agent, but he won't be able to display his full name on his new kit.

  2. Bale admits he would 'love' to lead Cardiff takeover

    A Gareth Bale-led consortium continues to remain interested in buying Welsh giants Cardiff City from current owner Vincent Tan, who is under pressure to sell the club due to their struggles in League One. Bale and his partners saw their initial bid worth £40 million ($54m) knocked back by Tan, although the group later came back with a new and improved offer.

  3. Fermin Lopez Barcelona 2025

    Lopez rejects PL transfer speculation to stay at Barcelona

    Barcelona sensation Fermin Lopez has assured fans he will stay at the club beyond this summer, despite strong interest from Premier League giants like Chelsea and Manchester United. Lopez starred in Barcelona's thumping win over Como in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Sunday as the Catalan giants ended their pre-season preparations on a high.

  4. Pedro dismisses worries over Chelsea competition with Delap

    New Chelsea forward Joao Pedro claims he is not losing sleep over competition with fellow new signing Liam Delap for a starting lineup slot at No.9. The forward duo are part of a big group of players who moved to Stamford Bridge this summer after Enzo Maresca decided to rebuild his team ahead of the Blues' return to the Champions League this season.

  5. Saka donates over 1,000 uniforms to children at four schools

    In a heartwarming gesture, Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has donated over 1,000 uniforms to four schools in Ealing, including Edward Betham and Greenford High, which he attended as a kid. Saka was born and bred in Ealing and he wanted to give back to the people where he grew up. The England international visited the schools in person to hand over the uniforms to the students.

  6. Rooney to feature as pundit in first MOTD of post-Lineker era

    Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney is set to feature as a pundit in the season's first BBC Match of the Day programme this Saturday in the post-Gary Lineker. Lineker announced last year he would be stepping down as presenter of Match of the Day when the 2024-25 Premier League campaign ended. Former understudy Mark Chapman is one of three presenters who will host the show moving forward.

  1. Van Dijk opens up on Liverpool's defensive struggles

    Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk addressed the club's defensive woes as Crystal Palace twice came from behind to beat the Reds and lift the Community Shield on Sunday. Van Dijk admitted there have been problems in the backline that need to be resolved and urged his colleagues to regain last season's defensive form, where the champions conceded 41 league goals.

  2. Arteta claims Gyokeres will 'destroy' defences

    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta heaped praise on new signing Viktor Gyokeres, who scored his first goal for the Gunners since his move to North London from Sporting CP this summer. The Premier League giants thrashed La Liga side Athletic Club 3-0 in their final pre-season friendly courtesy of goals from Gyokeres, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz.

  3. Liverpool confirm that Nunez has completed move to Al-Hilal

    Liverpool have confirmed that star striker Darwin Nunez has completed his transfer to Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal. Nunez, who was linked with a move away from Anfield since the start of the summer transfer window, has secured a permanent move to Saudi Arabia. The Uruguayan forward, who joined the Reds in 2023 from Benfica for a whopping £64 million ($86m), spent just three years at the Merseyside club.

  4. Howe suggests Isak WILL be allowed to leave

    Eddie Howe provided an update on Alexander Isak's future at St James' Park as he hinted that Newcastle United could allow the striker to leave this summer, amid strong interest from Liverpool. Isak has been training alone and was even left out of a club event earlier this week after he strongly expressed his desire to leave the Magpies and secure a transfer to Anfield.

  5. Leeds line up ambitious swoop for Brighton star

    Leeds United are plotting an ambitious move to sign Facundo Buonanotte from Brighton. The Argentine attacking midfielder spent the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Leicester City and had an impressive outing for the Foxes in the Premier League, although the club faced relegation. Leeds boss Daniel Farke is aiming to build a competitive squad so that the club can survive in the top-flight this year.

  6. Explained: Why Baleba was absent from Brighton squad

    Carlos Baleba missed Brighton's third consecutive pre-season friendly match against Wolfsburg on Saturday amid transfer links to Manchester United. The Red Devils have shown interest in the highly-rated young midfielder and they reportedly even tried to offer players in exchange to secure a transfer. Brighton, on the other hand, have maintained that they won't sell Baleba this summer.

  7. Newcastle 'advancing' in Thiaw pursuit as €40m bid tabled

    Newcastle United are in advanced talks with AC Milan over the transfer of German defender Malick Thiaw after they submitted an improved bid of €40 million. The player has agreed on personal terms and has given his signal to the move as the two clubs now discuss the final terms of the deal. The Magpies, who suffered disappointment in several of their transfer pursuits, are finally able to seal a move.