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. Fabinho opens up on painful Liverpool exit

    Former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho reminisced about his time at Anfield, while spilling details on his painful exit from the club, as he joined Saudi Pro League giants Al-Ittihad in 2023. The Brazilian spent five years at the Merseyside club, where he won multiple trophies, including the Champions League in his maiden campaign and the Premier League title in the subsequent season.

  2. Chelsea won't sign new defender despite Colwill's ACL injury

    Chelsea do not intend to sign a new defender despite Levi Colwill's ACL injury. The Blues were dealt a major injury blow earlier this week as Colwill sustained an ACL injury during pre-season training and later underwent surgery. The English defender will be sidelined for a significant period of time during the 2025-26 campaign. Yet, the Blues do not have an 'emergency plan' to enter the transfer market.

  3. CR7 praises former Sporting CP icon Gyokeres after Arsenal move

    Cristiano Ronaldo hailed former Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres as a 'special player' following the striker's move to Arsenal this summer. Gyokeres signed for the Gunners for a whopping £64 million (€74m/$86m) transfer fee, including bonuses related to appearances, goals and assists. The striker was in demand in the transfer market after a successful season at Sporting, where he scored 54 goals.

  1. Tension growing between Gavi & Fermin as girlfriends clash

    Tension is said to be building in the Barcelona dressing room as team-mates Fermin Lopez and Gavi are at loggerheads due to their girlfriends, who repotedly do not get along. Gavi and Lopez are known to be close friends since childhood as they spent a significant amount of time at La Masia together, before featuring for Barcelona's senior side. Gavi, who recently celebrated his 21st birthday, notably did not receive any message from Lopez.

  2. Kane opens up on dreadful penalty during Tottenham reunion

    Bayer Munich star Harry Kane opened up on his penalty miss against boyhood club Tottenham Hotspur during 4-0 win in pre-season on Thursday. This was only the second time that the England captain has played against Spurs since leaving the club in 2023. Kane scored the opener for the Bavarian side and three minutes later squandered a penalty as he skied the ball over the crossbar after losing his footing.

  3. Marc-Andre ter Stegen

    Barca consider stripping Ter Stegen of captaincy amid feud

    Barcelona are considering taking disciplinary action against Marc-Andre ter Stegen and could strip him of their captaincy as the feud between the goalkeeper and the club continues. The Germany international publicly announced the news of his back surgery last month and that he would remain out of action for three months, which left the Blaugrana fuming.

  4. Why Liverpool WON'T sign PSG sensation Barcola

    Liverpool are unlikely to go after Paris Saint-Germain sensation Bradley Barcola this summer, despite reports in France claiming that the Reds have reignited their interest in the French forward. Following Luis Diaz's departure, the Premier League champions have been linked with signing a new left-sided winger, but cold water has been poured on those rumours.

  5. Man City set Grealish condition that could block exit

    Manchester City have set a condition on Jack Grealish's exit that could prove to be a stumbling block to any potential deal. Everton are keen on signing the City outcast, but they want the winger on loan. Tottenham Hotspur and Napoli are also keeping an eye on Grealish's situation as the England international has acknowledged that his time at Etihad Stadium is up.

  6. Chelsea's lowball valuation of Simons revealed

    Chelsea's valuation of transfer target Xavi Simons revealed as talks with RB Leipzig drag on. The Blues are confident of signing the Dutch midfielder, however, they are yet to submit a formal proposal to the Bundesliga club. Leipzig, on the other hand, ae busy with their negotiations with Manchester United and Newcastle over the transfer of their star striker Benjamin Sesko.

  7. Wrexham DENIED in club-record Broadhead pursuit

    Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has confirmed that Nathan Broadhead won't be allowed to leave the club this summer, despite strong interest from Wrexham. The Red Dragons, who secured their third successive promotion to reach the Championship this season, have been busy in the transfer market and were hoping to secure a club-record £7.5m deal of the striker.

  8. Why Juve are blocking Luiz exit despite Everton & Forest interest

    Juventus are unlikely to let Douglas Luiz leave the club on loan this summer, despite strong interest from Premier League sides Nottingham Forest and Everton. Luiz endured a nightmare debut campaign in Turin after leaving Aston Villa last summer, as the Brazilian started three Serie A matches. The midfielder now wants to return to England but his move is being blocked by the Italian giants.