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. Wrexham's unbeaten run ends as Moore's mishaps prove costly

    Wrexham's seven-match unbeaten run in the Championship came to an end on Wednesday as they went down 2-0 against a dominant Hull City on the road. The Red Dragons' star forward Kieffer Moore had a night to forget as his two costly misses cost Phil Parkinson's side crucial points. Wrexham have dropped to 14th place in the second tier after the defeat.

  2. Transfer incoming? Chelsea star Fernandez switches agent

    Chelsea and Argentina star Enzo Fernandez has switched agents as he links up with former Paris Saint-Germain star and compatriot Javier Pastore's agency. The World Cup-winning midfielder has been a key figure in the Blues' dressing room since joining them from Benfica in January 2023 for a then-record fee. In the current season, Fernandez has appeared in 22 matches in all competitions and scored five goals.

  3. 📽️ | Lingard scores in last-ever game for FC Seoul

    Former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard signed off as an FC Seoul player in style as he scored in his last-ever game for the South Korean club before bidding an emotional farewell after two 'fantastic' years. Lingard had confirmed that the AFC Champions League meeting with Melbourne City would mark his final appearance for the side he joined in February 2024.

  4. Bayern wonderkid Karl admits he's 'learning so much' from Kane

    Bayern Munich wonderkid Lennart Karl has admitted he is learning a lot from star striker and England captain Harry Kane after breaking a Champions League record in the club's win over Sporting CP. The 17-year-old prodigy has been a revelation for Vincent Kompany's side in the 2025-26 campaign and with consistent performances every week, he is closing in on being included in Germany's 2026 World Cup squad.

  5. Mainoo picks favourite destination as TWELVE clubs make enquiries

    Out-of-favour Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has picked his favourite destination after as many as 12 clubs made transfer enquiries for the young English star. Mainoo is desperate for an escape route from Old Trafford after failing to accumulate enough game time under Ruben Amorim this season as the Portuguese coach prefers Bruno Fernandes in the central midfield role alongside Casemiro.

  6. Bale reveals emotional real reason he retired from football

    Ex-Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur icon Gareth Bale has revealed the real reason why he announced his retirement from football at the age of 33. The former winger brought the curtains down on his illustrious professional career just months after Wales were knocked out of the 2022 World Cup group stage after finishing bottom with just a point from their three matches.

  7. Bayern Munich buy new stadium on outskirts of city

    Bayern Munich have agreed to splash the cash to buy a new stadium as part of the club's commitment to their women's team. The Bayern women's side currently play in the stadium at their training ground, which only has 2,000 seats. The women's team have won the German top-flight league for the past three seasons, which has prompted the management to make significant investment on the side.

  8. Chelsea receive Delap boost as striker to make swift recovery

    Chelsea have received a massive Liam Delap boost as the striker is set to make a swift recovery from his shoulder injury. Delap looked set for more time on the sidelines after being forced out of last weekend's game against Bournemouth in the Premier League at the Amex Stadium with a shoulder injury. The English forward landed heavily and looked to be in real pain in the first half of the game.

  1. 'No sense!' - Bayern rule themselves out of Salah race

    Bayern Munich have ruled themselves out of the Mohamed Salah transfer race, with his future at Liverpool hanging in the balance. After being left out on the bench by Arne Slot for the three successive Premier League games, the Egyptian winger went on an explosive rant to the press about his treatment as he even hinted he could exit Anfield in the January transfer window.

  2. Neymar to see 'miracle doctor' in bid to overcome injury

    Neymar is all set to visit the 'miracle doctor' in Brazil in a bid to overcome injury and make it to Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad in North America next summer. Neymar has struggled for fitness throughout the calendar year; however, he saw a late resurgence into the season as he scored and helped Santos avoid relegation, finishing 12th in the Brazilian top division league.

  3. Tel replaces Solanke in Spurs' UCL squad due to injury

    Tottenham Hotspur have added Mathys Tel to their Champions League squad as they were forced to remove the injured Dominic Solanke from their European roster. The star striker has been restricted to just three competitive club appearances this term owing to an ankle problem sustained in pre-season. Tel was initially not included in the squad for the league phase of the Champions League.

  4. Salah told he has the 'brains of a beetle' for Slot rant

    Netherlands legend Marco van Basten took a swipe at Mohamed Salah as he said the Liverpool star has the 'brains of a beetle' in a brutal response to him 'attacking' Reds boss Arne Slot. After being left out on the bench for the third consecutive Premier League game against Leeds United last weekend, Salah went on an explosive rant as he hinted he could even exit Anfield in January.

  5. Wrexham's minority stake sold to new Atletico Madrid owners

    Wrexham's Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have sold a minority Wrexham stake to new Atletico Madrid owners Apollo Sports Capital. The fresh round of investment will provide added funding for the club's stadium redevelopment. The iconic Racecourse Ground is undergoing a serious facelift as the Red Dragons remain focused on fulfilling their dream of competing in the Premier League.

  6. Alisson makes Salah admission over explosive Liverpool interview

    Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson reveals he has not spoken to team-mate Mohamed Salah following the Egyptian's public outburst against the Reds and manager Arne Slot. After being left out on the bench for the third consecutive Premier League game against Leeds United last weekend, the Reds star went on an explosive rant in front of the media as he hinted he could even exit Anfield in January.

  7. Evans leaves role as head of loans and pathways at Man Utd

    Former Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has left his role as head of loans and pathways after six months in the role at Old Trafford. At 37, Evans decided to hang up his boots after his second spell as a player with the Red Devils came to an end last summer. In his first period at Old Trafford, Evans won the Premier League, Champions League, League Cup and Club World Cup.

  8. Vini vs Haaland? Brazil chief reveals plans for Norway friendly

    Vinicius Junior is all set to face Erling Haaland in the international arena as a Brazil football chief has revealed plans to organise a pre-World Cup friendly with Norway in a potential repeat of the 1998 classic. The Manchester City goal machine emerged as the highest scorer in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as his 16 goals helped Norway reach the finals in North America.