📝Bio: Soham has been living and breathing football stories for almost a decade, carving his path as a news and SEO writer with an instinct for the big moments. Armed with an MA (Honours) in Sports Journalism from Symbiosis International University, he knew early on that his future wouldn’t be on the pitch but behind the pen, shaping narratives about the game he adores. He joined GOAL in 2017 and has since made his mark covering the Indian Super League, I-League, and the Indian national team. Based in Kolkata, where football is a religion, he grew up watching Bhaichung Bhutia scoring goals for fun in India, before falling head over heels for Real Madrid, a club that now dictates the rhythm of his everyday life.⚽My Football Story: It all began back in 2002. A cricket bat in hand, ready to step out, but then the skies opened up. The rain kept me indoors, and that twist of fate led me to the sofa, beside my father, who had a football match on TV. Little did I know at the time but it was the World Cup final: Brazil vs Germany. Forget the goals – what grabbed my imagination was Ronaldo’s haircut and his iconic celebration. From there, cricket slowly faded and football fever took over. By my teenage years, I was sneaking out of bed at 1am to watch the Champions League - fair to say I was hooked for life.
🎯Areas of Expertise:
Social media-specific content
Premier League, Champions League, European & Indian football coverage
Tactical analysis on the Indian national team
World Cup & European Championship tournaments
🌟Favourite Footballing Memory: The day Mohun Bagan demolished East Bengal 5-3 in the Kolkata Derby, with Chidi Edeh scoring four - a moment when the city turned maroon and green. But nothing beats the spine-tingling sight of Sergio Ramos’ 93rd-minute header in Lisbon, the goal that crowned Real Madrid’s La Decima and etched itself into footballing history.📝My All-Time XI: Iker Casillas; Phillip Lahm, Sergio Ramos, Fabio Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos; Claude Makélélé, Ronaldinho, Zinedine Zidane; Cristiano Ronaldo, Raúl, Lionel Messi.
Anthony Gordon has compared Nick Woltemade to England "quarterback" Harry Kane and explained how Newcastle's £69 million ($93m) frontman has positively impacted his game. Woltemade has exploded onto the scene at Newcastle with four goals in his first six appearances, three of which came in the span of just seven days against Arsenal, Union Saint-Gilloise, and Nottingham Forest before the international break.
England star Anthony Gordon has shockingly admitted that he's only performed at "50 per cent" on the international stage, despite featuring in all of Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions squads so far. The Newcastle United winger, who dazzled during last month’s 5-0 World Cup qualifying demolition of Serbia, has been one of the standout names in England’s recent squads. But while giving a brutally honest assessment of his form, Gordon insisted there’s “much more to come” from him in an England shirt.
Chelsea sensation Estevao Willian has been told how to become a Ballon d'Or contender like Lamine Yamal after his game-changing display against Liverpool. The 17-year-old Brazilian, affectionately dubbed “Messinho” in his homeland, has taken to English football like a natural, blending flair, courage and creativity in a way few foreign youngsters ever manage. Signed for €34 million (£30m) from Palmeiras plus a hefty €23m (£20m) in add-ons, Estevao is already looking like a bargain for the Blues.
Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson believes that Chelsea should launch a sensational transfer swoop for Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane. The Englishman's current deal at Allianz Arena includes a £57 million ($76m) release clause, which is reportedly set to come into effect at the end of the 2025-26 season. While the ex-Tottenham star is “extremely happy” in Munich, he has not ruled out returning to the Premier League at some stage.
Paul Scholes believes Ruben Amorim is "getting too much time" at Manchester United and has predicted another defeat for his former club in their crunch clash with Liverpool. With just 50 games in charge, Amorim has faced relentless scrutiny as United search for stability under his leadership. The Red Devils secured a 2-0 win over Sunderland before the international break, temporarily lifting spirits, but Scholes insists the problems run deeper.
Former Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen is "incredibly happy" for Rasmus Hojlund after his Denmark team-mate's "great" start to life at Napoli. After a frustrating spell at Old Trafford where chances were few and confidence was crushed, Hojlund has exploded into form at Napoli. Four goals in six games, including crucial winners against Sporting and Genoa, have turned the 22-year-old into the talk of Naples.
Marcus Rashford has been backed to take one of Robert Lewandowski's key jobs at Barcelona by Gary Lineker. The England forward, who endured a rocky spell under Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, has found new life under Hansi Flick, showing flashes of the ruthless finishing that once made him one of England’s brightest stars.
Wayne Rooney has delivered an honest verdict on Benjamin Sesko while also pointing out the player who "simplified things" in Manchester United's 2-0 win over Sunderland. After a turbulent start to the campaign that has piled pressure on manager Ruben Amorim, United finally looked alive again at Old Trafford on Saturday. The win not only lifted them to tenth in the Premier League table but also brought a breath of optimism back among a frustrated fanbase.
Former Bayern Munich and Manchester City winger Leroy Sane found himself at the centre of an ugly Oktoberfest bust-up after being “provoked and personally humiliated” inside a crowded beer tent. The Galatasaray star became involved in a brief fight with a fan after being taunted by a group of Bayern supporters late on Sunday night.
Manchester United academy chief Luke Fedorenko, who helped sign wonderkid JJ Gabriel, will reportedly leave Old Trafford despite the Red Devils’ attempts to keep him at the club. The 35-year-old talent guru has reportedly accepted an offer to join a major football agency, marking the end of an influential nine-year spell shaping the club's youth structure.
Adam Wharton revealed Thomas Tuchel's explanation for his latest England snub as the Crystal Palace star was left out of the upcoming Wales and Latvia clashes. After being recalled for the World Cup qualifiers last month, Wharton was forced to pull out due to an adductor injury. Following his recovery and strong performances at Palace, many expected the midfielder to be reinstated for the October internationals. However, Tuchel, had other plans.
Moises Caicedo made his feelings known on comparisons to legendary Chelsea defensive midfielders N'Golo Kante and Claude Makelele after scoring an outrageous goal against Liverpool. His tenacious tackling and ability to dictate the game have drawn inevitable comparisons to two of Chelsea's greatest-ever. But Caicedo is having none of it.
Jack Grealish has been backed for an England recall by Michael Owen following his flying start to life on loan at Everton. The 30-year-old has been nothing short of sensational since swapping Manchester City for a season-long loan move to the newly-built Hill Dickinson Stadium and Owen believes this change of scenery is exactly what the star needed.
Legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon's son Louis, a winger, has made his Serie A debut for Pisa - 30 years after his father made his bow in the league. The 17-year-old, part of Pisa’s squad since 2023, made his first Serie A appearance on Sunday, albeit in a difficult 4-0 defeat against Bologna at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.
Florian Wirtz's Liverpool team-mates have been blamed for the £116 million ($156m) man's slow start to life at Anfield by Germany legend Rudi Voller. After joining the Reds in June on a long-term contract until at least 2030, Wirtz made a bright debut in the Community Shield, providing an assist against Crystal Palace, though Liverpool eventually lost on penalties. However, things have gone south since then.
Wayne Rooney has jumped to the defence of under-fire Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou, branding the mounting calls for his sacking "absolutely crazy". The former Manchester United star has urged patience amid growing unrest at the City Ground after a disastrous start to the season. Rooney is no stranger to short-lived managerial spells himself, having been sacked by both Birmingham and Plymouth.
Leny Yoro made a surprise flying return to Lille after starring for Manchester United during their win over Sunderland. The 19-year-old defender, who joined United in the summer for a whopping £52 million, jetted across the Channel on Sunday to watch his boyhood club take on Paris Saint-Germain in a blockbuster Ligue 1 clash.
Harry Kane was spotted enjoying the traditional Bavarian Oktoberfest celebrations with wife Kate. Fresh off scoring yet again in Bayern Munich’s 3-0 triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt, the England captain let loose with a stein of beer. The 32-year-old, now in his third season in Germany, fully embraced the tradition, trading his football boots for lederhosen and raising a frothy beer as he joined thousands of revellers in Munich.
Jack Grealish couldn’t resist giving himself a cheeky pat on the back after firing home a comical late winner that sealed Everton’s 2-1 triumph over Crystal Palace. After a turbulent final year at Manchester City, Grealish has rediscovered his spark, and his trademark grin, under David Moyes’ revitalised Everton side.
Chelsea’s newest teenage sensation, Estevao, has won over club icon John Terry after delivering a dramatic 96th-minute winner to sink Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. The 18-year-old Brazilian, who arrived this summer in a blockbuster £56 million ($71m) deal, came off the bench to score his first-ever Premier League goal in breathtaking fashion, sealing a 2-1 victory and sending the home crowd into absolute delirium.