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. Wissa rejoins Brentford camp amid Newcastle interest

    Yoane Wissa has rejoined Brentford's pre-season training amid strong transfer interest from Newcastle United. The Magpies have been linked with a move for Wissa, but the Bees had made it clear that they won't sell the forward for less than £40 million. Brentford have already sold Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United are thus reluctant to let another first-team star leave.

  2. Alonso 'not entirely happy' with Rodrygo amid PL interest

    Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso is not entirely happy with Rodrygo in his squad amid strong interest from Premier League clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. The Gunners are still looking for an attacking option despite the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres, while their arch-rivals Spurs have identified the Brazilian winger a possible replacement of outgoing captain Son Heung-min.

  3. Mourinho's UCL-winning Porto captain Costa dies

    FC Porto's former Champions League-winning captain Jorge Costa has passed away following a cardiac arrest at the age of 53 on Tuesday. Costa played for 15 years at Porto and made 383 appearances for the club across all competitions. He was an integral part and the leader of the side that lifted the club's second European Cup in the 2003-04 season under Jose Mourinho.

  4. Brady behind Birmingham's €2m push for Germany forward

    Birmingham City are on the verge of finalising a transfer for German forward Marvin Ducksch from Bundesliga side Werder Bremen. The Blues minority owner and NFL legend Tom Brady was reportedly pushing for the transfer, as the club look to secure a promotion to the Premier League next year. The Championship side are in advanced talks with the German club to wrap up the deal.

  5. Emiliano Martinez Aston Villa 2025

    Chelsea urged to beat Man Utd to Martinez signing

    Former Chelsea and France star Emmanuel Petit has urged Chelsea to sign Manchester United target Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa this summer. The Red Devils have been linked with the World Cup-winning Argentine goalkeeper since the start of the transfer window and the club even saw their loan bid rejected by the Villans. However, Martinez could be allowed to leave for around £40 million.

  6. Arsenal in talks with Stuttgart over Vieira transfer

    Arsenal are preparing to sell €40 million (£35m/$46m) transfer flop Fabio Vieira this summer as they initiate talks with Bundesliga side VFB Stuttgart. Veira spent the 2024-25 campaign on loan at his boyhood club FC Porto last season, but Stuttgart are pushing for a permanent transfer for the Gunners outcast, who has struggled for minutes under Mikel Arteta.

  1. Sterling among NINE players omitted from Chelsea website

    Raheem Sterling has been included in Chelsea's 'bomb squad' that consists of nine out-of-favour stars whom the Blues are looking forward to selling this summer. Sterling left for Arsenal on loan last summer but has now returned to Stamford Bridge after a disappointing spell at Emirates Stadium. The English winger has been linked to multiple clubs ahead of an expected exit.

  2. Madueke makes pre-season decision after short break since CWC

    Noni Madueke has cut short his holiday and joined Arsenal's pre-season training camp despite travelling to the US with the Chelsea squad for the Club World Cup earlier this summer. The 23-year-old English winger left the Blues after two seasons as he joined the Gunners for £52 million (€60m/$69.9m). Madueke joined Arsenal's training a week before the rest of the team returned from their Asia tour.

  3. Ex-Barca president claims Rashford is better than Williams

    Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has boldly claimed that Marcus Rashford is a better player than Nico Williams, in response to criticism of the club from the Athletic Club winger's brother Inaki. Williams snubbed a move to Barca in favour of signing a new long-term deal with Athletic Club, which paved the way for Rashford to join the Catalan side on loan from Manchester United.

  4. Tottenham eye Rodrygo as Son replacement

    Tottenham have identified Rodrygo as the perfect replacement for Son Heung-min. The club captain has confirmed he will leave the club this summer after helping them win their first trophy in 17 years in the form of the Europa League, and is set to join MLS side Los Angeles FC. With Son leaving, Spurs are now aiming to lure Rodrygo away from Real Madrid.

  5. Amorim admits he knew Man Utd would 'struggle' last season

    Ruben Amorim has admitted that he knew Manchester United would "struggle" in certain matches during the 2024-25 campaign. Amorim oversaw 27 matches after replacing Erik ten Hag as manager and won only seven times. United finished 15th in the Premier League, their worst league position since the 1989-90 campaign and also lost the Europa League final to Tottenham.