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. Osimhen transfer saga: Galatasaray reject 'new conditions' from Napoli

    Galatasaray have rejected Napoli's new transfer conditions for Victor Osimhen to leave him stuck in limbo. The Turkish giants have refused to meet the fresh demands laid down by the Italian champions, putting Premier League clubs on red alert. Osimhen is being strongly linked with a move away from Napoli this summer after he spent a year on loan in Turkey, becoming the top goalscorer in the Super Lig.

  2. Man Utd outcasts ordered to train AFTER 5pm

    Five Manchester United outcasts have been asked to train after 5pm at Carrington, once Ruben Amorim and the rest of the first-team squad have left the facilities. Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia have been deemed surplus to Amorim's needs ahead of the 2025-26 campaign and are free to leave the club this summer.

  3. Madueke spotted partying at Wireless Festival in London with Sancho

    Noni Madueke, who is all set to complete a move from Chelsea to Arsenal this summer, was spotted partying at the Wireless Festival in London alongside ex-team-mates Jadon Sancho and Carney Chukwuemeka. Madueke was in London at a time when the Blues were in action in the Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain in New Jersey. The English side won the tie 3-0 to lift the trophy.

  4. Why Chelsea have suffered a setback in Garnacho pursuit

    Chelsea have hit a roadblock in their pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho amid standoff between the player's representatives Carlos Cambeiro and Enrique de Lucas and Pini Zahavi's Gol International agency. It was earlier reported that Manchester United have asked Alejandro Garnacho to leave the club this summer and have agreed that the winger won't join the club's pre-season in the summer.

  5. Arsenal finally closing in on Valencia's Mosquera

    Arsenal are closing in on signing Spanish centre-back Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia this summer. The Gunners have agreed personal terms with the defender and are close to finalising a deal with the La Liga side. The youngster, who recently represented Spain at the U-21 European Championship, is being considered as a perfect back up for William Saliba and Gabriel.

  1. Pedro reflects on going from holiday to CWC winner in two weeks

    Joao Pedro scored his third goal in just his second appearance for Chelsea as he immediately won his first major title at the Club World Cup. Cole Palmer starred with a brace and an assist as the Blues lifted the trophy, beating European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the final on Sunday. The Brazilian was on cloud nine as in a span of two weeks, he went from being on holiday to becoming a world champion.

  2. Aston Villa eye €80m striker amid Man Utd interest in Watkins

    Aston Villa have shown interest in signing Sami Aghehowa from FC Porto this summer as they have identified the Spanish striker as a possible replacement for Ollie Watkins. Manchester United are keen on signing the English forward in the summer window and in case Watkins exits Villa Park, the club would go after Aghehowa who is valued at €80 million (£69m/$93.5m) by the Portuguese club.

  3. Liverpool may KEEP Nunez amid asking price standoff

    Liverpool might end up retaining Darwin Nunez's services beyond this summer as they remain firm on their €60 million (£52m/$70m) valuation of the Uruguayan forward. Napoli remain interested in signing the striker this summer but they are offering a fee of €55m for the Reds star. Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna will meet the player's agent on Monday.

  4. Fernandez insists Blues can beat PSG in Club World Cup final

    Chelsea's star midfielder Enzo Fernandez believes the Blues can win the Club World Cup by beating Paris Saint-Germain in the final. The Blues will start as underdogs against a PSG side who have won every trophy on offer in the 2024-25 campaign and have displayed fiery form in the Club World Cup thus far. Yet, the Argentine feels that they can upset the European champions.

  5. Endrick makes clear decision over Madrid future after injury

    Endrick has made a decision on his Real Madrid future after suffering yet another injury setback. The Brazilian youngster was linked with a move away from Santiago Bernabeu this summer due to lack of game time in his maiden season, however, his transfer plans have hit a snag. Under Carlo Ancelotti, Endrick started in only eight matches across all competitions but managed to score seven goals.

  6. Aubameyang could return to former club this summer

    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be set to return to France and join his former club Marseille this summer. The Ligue 1 side are currently negotiating the financial details of the player's contract as they are set to offer the forward a two-year deal. Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah have agreed to mutually terminate Aubameyang's contract, which will make him a free agent.

  7. James issues rallying cry as Wales aim to knock England out

    Former Arsenal and Everton midfielder Angharad James is determined to beat England and knock the reigning champions out of the Women's Euro 2025. James, who is leading Wales in their first major women's tournament in Switzerland, spoke about the rivalry that the two countries share, while claiming that is in their 'blood and DNA' to knock the Lionesses out of the competition.

  8. Cahill hails one Chelsea signing this summer

    Former Chelsea and England defender Gary Cahill heaped praise on new signing Liam Delap, who joined the Blues this summer from Ipswich Town for £30 million ($41m). Cahill spoke highly of the English forward's physicality, while claiming Delap 'makes the grade' in terms of talent. The young striker has already established himself as a regular starter under Enzo Maresca in the Club World Cup.