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. Alexander-Arnold benched for Real Madrid's trip to Oviedo

    Xabi Alonso surprisingly omitted new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold from Real Madrid's starting lineup against Real Oviedo in their second La Liga match of the new season as veteran Spanish full-back Dani Carvajal returned to the lineup. Another new signing, Franco Mastantuono was handed his first start, while Rodrygo was slotted into the attack, despite reported transfer interest from Manchester City.

  2. 'Early indications' for Saka & Odegaard injuries revealed

    The 'early indications' for Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard's injuries have been revealed as Arsenal sweat on the pair's availability for their crunch Premier League clash against Liverpool next week. Saka and Odegaard were both subbed off during the Gunners' 5-0 win over Leeds on Saturday after suffering knocks, leaving Mikel Arteta fearing the worst.

  3. Benjamin Sesko

    Amorim explains benching Sesko for second successive week

    Ruben Amorim has explained his decision to leave new Manchester United signing Benjamin Sesko on the bench for the second consecutive week. Sesko, who joined the Red Devils from RB Leipzig for a whopping £74 million ($100m) earlier this summer, came off the bench against Arsenal on matchday one and was also left out of the starting XI for Sunday's trip to Fulham.

  4. Palmer locked in legal row with French vineyard

    Chelsea and England star Cole Palmer has been locked in a legal battle with a French vineyard, Chateau Palmer, over trademarking his name. Palmer reportedly wanted to trademark his famous "ice cold" goal celebration with the name "Cold Palmer", but the England international's application is now facing a legal challenge from a winery based out of Bordeaux in France.

  5. Napoli open talks to land Hojlund as Man Utd aim to sell

    Napoli have initiated fresh transfer talks with Manchester United outcast Rasmus Hojlund, as they look to replace the injured Romelu Lukaku in their squad. Hojlund has been part of Amorim's 'bomb squad' since the start of United's pre-season and with Benjamin Sesko's arrival at the club, it is evident that the Danish forward no longer features in the United coach's plans.

  1. Villarreal agree club-record deal to sign Veiga from Chelsea

    Renato Veiga is all set to end his nightmare at Chelsea, as Villarreal have agreed on a club record deal with the Blues to sign the Portuguese defender. Veiga, who moved to Stamford Bridge in 2024 from Basel, never really settled in West London and struggled for game time. In January 2025, he was loaned to Serie A giants Juventus on a short-term deal.

  2. Arsenal HIJACK Tottenham's Eze bid

    Arsenal are on the verge of signing Tottenham target Eberechi Eze. The Gunners are now negotiating the terms of the transfer with the Eagles and are expected to finalise a deal to sign the England international very soon. Spurs were in touch with Palace over Eze's transfer, but are now ready to move on to alternative targets.

  3. 'Two amazing players' - Sanchez pinpoints vital Chelsea duo

    Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez claimed that Cole Palmer and Ezno Fernandez are the two most important figures in the Blues dressing room. Enzo Maresca endured a satisfying maiden season at Stamford Bridge, where the club won the Europa Conference League title and then topped it with the triumph at the Club World Cup, where they dominated Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in the final.

  4. Arsenal's London rivals eye move for Jurrien's brother Quinten

    West Ham have shown interest in signing Arsenal star Jurrien Timber's twin brother Quinten from Feyenoord as Graham Potter looks to bolster the team's midfield. The Hammers are rattled by the team's disastrous start to the new season as they lost 3-0 to Sunderland and the defeat has prompted Potter to act swiftly in the transfer market, as he looks to sign two more midfielders.

  5. Wrexham in negotiations to land Rennes ace

    Wrexham are eyeing a move for Rennes star Jordan James after a disappointing start to their Championship 2025-26 campaign. The Red Dragons spent heavily in the transfer market in the summer to rebuild their squad, but lost their opening two matches against Southampton and West Brom. Thus, the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney-owned side are now preparing to make further additions to bolster their team.

  6. Isak's team-mate stands by striker after public NUFC spat

    Alexander Isak's compatriot Robin Nelson says he stands by the Newcastle forward after he made his spat with the Magpies public with a bombshell statement on Tuesday. Isak claimed in his long rant that his relationship with the Magpies is over as his stand-off with them continues regarding a possible transfer to Liverpool this summer. Isak is no longer part of Eddie Howe's first team and his training alone.

  7. Man Utd urged to give Amorim more time by Evra

    Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has urged the club to be patient while dealing with Ruben Amorim as the Frenchman believes that continuously changing managers won't solve the club's ongoing issues. Evra also backed his former team to bounce back in the 2025-26 campaign and surprise everyone, although United started the new season with a loss against Arsenal at home.