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. Sterling set for fresh start abroad with Champions League club

    Raheem Sterling is all set to leave Chelsea this summer and make a fresh start abroad with a Champions League club after a failed loan spell at Arsenal in the 2024-25 campaign. The English winger did not score a single Premier League goal and made only seven starts in the English top-flight for the Gunners. He returned to Stamford Bridge at the end of his loan spell, but was not picked in the Blues' Club World Cup squad.

  2. Simons open to Chelsea transfer after initial approach

    Chelsea have enquired about the availability of Xavi Simons, who is open to the possibility of a move to Stamford Bridge. The Blues, however, will have to make a sale or two before they can make a formal bid for the RB Leipzig star. Chelsea have already bolstered their squad by signing forwards like Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens, while Estevao Willian is also set to join the club.

  3. Luis Diaz Liverpool 2025

    Bayern expect Liverpool to soften stance on selling Diaz

    Bayern Munich believe Liverpool will soften their stance on selling Luis Diaz this summer after spending close to ÂŁ300 million ($402m) in the ongoing transfer window. The Reds are close to signing Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, which could convince them to allow Diaz to exit Anfield. The Colombian winger is keen to leave the Reds and join the Bundesliga giants.

  4. Arteta opens up on Arsenal's transfer relationship with Chelsea

    Mikel Arteta explained why he keeps raiding Stamford Bridge for new signings after Arsenal completed Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga's transfer from Chelsea this summer. Madueke became the sixth Blues player to move to Emirates since Arteta took charge of the club and 10th player in the past 10 years. The Gunners faced criticism from fans following the confirmation of Madueke's arrival.

  5. Hugo Ekitike

    Liverpool's ÂŁ79m Ekitike deal leaves rival fans FUMING

    Rival fans have accused Liverpool of 'trying to buy the league' as the Reds are close to sealing a huge ÂŁ79 million ($106m) move for Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike. The Premier League champions had already spent more than ÂŁ200m ($270m) on transfers this summer and are now on the verge of securing the signature of Ekitike ahead of rivals Newcastle.

  6. Real Betis face disappointment in Antony pursuit

    Antony will hope to follow in Marcus Rashford's footsteps and move out of Manchester United this summer after being deemed surplus to Rubem Amorim's needs. He spent the second half of the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Real Betis and the La Liga club would have loved to make his transfer permanent but they do not have money to secure a move for the United outcast.

  7. Isak agrees to talks with Ali-Hilal despite Liverpool links

    Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal have reportedly entered the race to sign Newcastle United star Alexander Isak. Al-Hilal, who are looking for a new forward, are ready to compete with Liverpool to secure a transfer for the Swedish striker. The club are reportedly preparing a massive €130 million (£112m/$151m) offer to convince the Magpies to part ways with Isak.

  1. Neymar receives gift from PSG after birth of his second child

    Neymar and his wife Bruna Biancardi gave birth to baby Mel on July 5. The Brazilian icon, who is now a father of four, received a heartwarming present from his former club Paris Saint-Germain as the French champions made customised jerseys for all four of the footballer's children. The 33-year-old shared the photograph on social media and thanked Les Parisiens for the wonderful present.

  2. Amad reacts to Rashford & Garnacho transfer talk

    Manchester United sensation Amad reacted to transfer talk related to Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho. The duo are among five players that United are planning to offload, with Rashford set to leave first after the club reportedly accepted a loan move to Barcelona. The Catalan giants have agreed to cover the player's full salary and the deal will include an option to buy.

  3. Messi, Ronaldo & Neymar all make Yamal’s GOAT team

    Lamine Yamal picked his star-studded all-time XI which consists of legends from Barcelona and Real Madrid. Six players from Los Blancos have made it to Yamal's attacking team, including all-time greats like Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldo Nazario, while Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Neymar have made the cut from the Catalan giants.