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Neil Banerjee

European football writer

📝 Bio: I write about European football for GOAL, with a soft spot for transfer sagas, on-pitch stories and the tactical set-ups that decide games. Over six years I’ve covered South American leagues, Premier League, MLS and major European competitions, focusing on data-backed tactical analysis, transfer market dynamics and feature storytelling.

My Football Story: My journey into football started with Fernando Torres - a player I admired long before I picked a club. When he left Liverpool for Chelsea, I realised you don’t simply follow transfers, you follow identity, history and community, and that’s when Chelsea became mine. Hours spent on Football Manager opened my eyes to the tactical and business side of the game - budgets, squad harmony, transfers - the very details that now shape my reporting.

🎯 Areas of Expertise:

  • In-depth tactical analysis & transfer market coverage
  • Fan-first storytelling across European football
  • Insight on Premier League, Champions League & major European leagues
  • Coverage of football culture, dressing-room dynamics & club business
  • Feature writing & match analysis that connects fans to the game

🌟 Favourite Footballing Memory: Standing in the stands at Moscow’s Spartak Stadium during the 2018 World Cup, I watched England and Colombia trade blows under the lights. Yerry Mina’s towering stoppage-time header sent shockwaves through the crowd, and for a moment it felt like the whole stadium was shaking. That night wasn’t just about the result; it was about witnessing football’s power to unite strangers in pure, unfiltered emotion. And as if the drama wasn’t enough, I even managed to meet Harry Kane after England’s shootout win, a moment that made the night unforgettable.

Articles by Neil Banerjee
  1. Napoli confirm 'devastating' De Bruyne injury

    Napoli’s joy turned to despair after their 3-1 victory over Inter as star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne suffered a serious thigh injury that could end his 2025 season. The Belgian’s absence adds to Antonio Conte’s mounting injury list, deepening Napoli’s crisis despite their return to the top of Serie A. The former Manchester City starlet's absence could now derail Napoli’s title momentum.

  2. Juventus sack Tudor amid eight-game winless run

    Juventus have decided to part ways with head coach Igor Tudor, ending their seven-month journey together in which he guided the club to a top-four Serie A finish and Champions League qualification. But after an eight-game winless run and mounting pressure, the club have acted decisively by appointing Juventus Next Gen coach Massimo Brambilla as a stopgap while directors probe short-term fixes and long-term replacements to steady a wounded team.

  3. Bayern cancel Boateng internship after fan protest

    Bayern Munich’s plan to welcome back Jerome Boateng as an intern under Vincent Kompany has collapsed amid fan outrage over the former defender’s past conviction. The ex-German international, who had hoped to begin his coaching journey at the club where he won everything, has now stepped back, urging focus on Bayern’s success while he turns toward his A-license studies.

  4. Makelele urges Madrid to sign PSG defender as 'dream' signing

    Legendary former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, Claude Makelele, has publicly called Marquinhos his “dream player” for the Spanish side, urging Los Blancos to sign the defender. The French icon praised the Brazilian’s rare defensive qualities and leadership, saying he represents the kind of character Madrid need in their post-Luka Modric era, even as he admitted PSG are unlikely to ever let him go.

  5. Madrid went 'over the top' with Yamal attacks - De Jong

    Tensions boiled over after Real Madrid’s 2–1 win against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu as Barca captain Frenkie de Jong slammed Dani Carvajal for his post-match gesture towards winger Lamine Yamal. What began as a heated Clasico ended in chaos with the culmination of days of tension sparked by Yamal’s pre-game remarks that infuriated the Madrid players and set the stage for a volatile night in the Spanish capital.

  1. Messi 'very angry' with Laporta and demanded Neymar return

    Lionel Messi’s fallout with Barcelona remains one of football’s most controversial chapters. Former vice-president Jordi Mestre has now revealed that Messi was “very, very angry” with club president Joan Laporta over how his exit was handled and wanted Neymar to be brought back after his world-record sale to Paris Saint-Germain. Mestre's revelations shed further light on the internal tensions that defined a turbulent Barca era.

  2. Barcelona hit by De Jong injury fear ahead of Clasico

    Barcelona’s El Clasico preparations have been hit by fresh concerns as Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen both missed training on Thursday, leaving Hansi Flick anxious before Sunday’s Bernabeu showdown. While Raphinha and Ferran Torres near full recovery, Flick’s tactical headaches deepen against a Real Madrid side powered by Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

  3. Kompany tries to calm 'hype' around Bayern star Karl

    Bayern Munich cruised past Club Brugge 4-0 on Wednesday, with 17-year-old Lennart Karl stealing the spotlight by scoring a stunning opener on his full Champions League debut while becoming the club’s youngest-ever scorer in the competition. Coach Vincent Kompany hailed the teenager's brilliance but urged restraint, calling the hype around him “not normal.”

  4. Bayern surprised Kompany extension didn't get leaked

    Vincent Kompany's surprise contract extension with Bayern Munich was a result of secretive talks with the club, as the Bavarians moved to tie down their "most important employee". After 17 months of record-breaking success, including 12 consecutive wins this campaign, Kompany has revived Bayern with attractive football, earning trust from players, management and fans alike in a decisive turnaround for the German club.

  5. FIFA warned pricing 'working-class fans' out will backfire

    FIFA’s ticket pricing for the 2026 World Cup is sparking controversy as New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani calls out dynamic pricing that risks excluding working-class fans. The Arsenal supporter wants fixed ticket prices, resale caps and local allocations to ensure the tournament is accessible, tying the fight to his broader campaign for affordability and fairness in New York City.

  6. Alonso under pressure to end 'bad habits' and create new Madrid culture

    After the derby humiliation against Atletico Madrid, Xabi Alonso faces his biggest test as Real Madrid manager, which is rebuilding a fractured dressing room, restoring discipline and redefining what leadership means at the Santiago Bernabeu. With matches against Barcelona and Liverpool coming up, Madrid’s new era hangs on whether Alonso can end bad habits and ignite a winning culture once again.

  7. Ref apologises for stopping match after mistaking ISIS chant for homophobia

    Nice president Fabrice Bocquet slammed the referee's "unacceptable" decision to halt the match against Lyon over a chant from the supporters, mistaking the anti-terrorist slogan for homophobic abuse. The decision to stop the chant, aimed at terror group ISIS and sung for years to honour the 86 victims of the July 14, 2016 Promenade des Anglais attack, provoked a furious reaction from the club, forcing the French refereeing director to publicly apologise.

  8. Flick backs Rashford to shine in No.9 role amid Torres injury scare

    With Ferran Torres and Raphinha doubtful for both the Champions League clash and El Clasico, head coach Hansi Flick confirmed his faith in Marcus Rashford to spearhead the attack. The German coach hailed Rashford as a "good option as a No. 9 or No. 11," emphasising his recent improvement. As Barcelona battle a major injury crisis, the on-loan forward is set to be the crucial focal point against Olympiacos and potentially Real Madrid.