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. Ten Hag REJECTS return to former club

    Ex-Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has reportedly rejected a return to one of his old clubs in a bid to protect his finances following his sudden departure from Bayer Leverkusen. Ten Hag returned to management in the summer after being sacked by the Red Devils last October, but only lasted two leagues games in the BayArena hot seat.

  2. Lammens' brother felt Galatasaray was a better move than Man Utd

    Senne Lammens' brother has admitted he felt that the Belgian goalkeeper should have joined Galatasaray instead of Manchester United in the summer transfer window, amid fears he would "succumb to the pressure" of life at Old Trafford. Lammens completed an £18 million ($25m) deadline day move from Royal Antwerp as the Red Devils decided against placing a formal offer for Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez.

  3. Alvarez left OUT of Atletico's squad to face Liverpool

    Julian Alvarez has been left out of Atletico Madrid's squad to face Liverpool in their Champions League opener, with USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso also missing due to an injury. Alvarez has been a mainstay in Diego Simeone's side since completing his move to the Spanish club from Manchester City in 2024, and has two goal contributions to his name from four appearances so far this season.

  4. Nuno Espirito Santo

    Nuno in line for instant Premier League return at surprise club

    Nuno Espirito Santo is in line for an instant return to the Premier League, with a surprise club reportedly ready to swoop for the ex-Nottingham Forest boss. A breakdown in his working relationship with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis led to Nuno being relieved of his managerial duties at the City Ground last week, with Ange Postecoglou swiftly drafted in as his replacement.

  5. Mbappe sent Messi reality check by Marseille rival

    Kylian Mbappe received a Lionel Messi reality check from Leonardo Balerdi ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League opener against Marseille. Balerdi believes that Argentina team-mate Messi "will be the best player in the world until he retires", though he does admit Kylian Mbappe is among the top players in the game right now.

  6. Jadon Sancho

    Emery's explanation for benching Sancho against Everton

    Unai Emery explained why he kept Jadon Sancho on the bench against Everton last Saturday as the Manchester United loanee is forced to wait on his Aston Villa debut. After being shunned from the first team and included in Ruben Amorim's "bomb squad", Sancho was destined to leave Old Trafford during the transfer window and he eventually managed to secure a loan move to Villa Park on deadline day.

  1. Will Amorim be sacked?! Man Utd's stance revealed

    Manchester United's stance on relieving Ruben Amorim of his duties has emerged amid the club's worst start to a Premier League season in 33 years. Amorim's back-five tactics has been criticised after the 3-0 derby defeat to Manchester City, but the Portuguese coach remained bullish on his tactical system and even insisted that the club would have to sack him before he changes his setup.

  2. Man City fans fume as Etihad worker spotted wearing Man Utd shirt

    Manchester City were forced to take action after a worker was spotted wearing a Manchester United shirt while serving pints at the Etihad Stadium on derby day. A fan on social media shared the image of the member of staff and brought it to the club's attention, and City swiftly 'removed' the person from their position. On the pitch, the Cityzens demolished their rivals 3-0 courtesy of a brace from Erling Haaland.