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. Man Utd fans enjoy Grimsby's Carabao Cup loss to Brentford

    Manchester United supporters very much enjoyed Grimsby Town's downfall as the League Two side crashed out of the Carabao Cup after losing 5-0 against Brentford on Tuesday. Grimsby fans were on cloud nine only a couple of months ago after they dumped the Red Devils out of the competition following an epic penalty shootout win over the Premier League giants. Goalkeeper Andre Onana in particular had a nightmare outing and was later loaned out to Turkey.

  2. Saliba & Martinelli become latest Arsenal injury casualties

    Arsenal have been dealt with a fresh injury blow with star players William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli ruled out of action for their upcoming game with Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup. The duo, along with Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori, picked up problems in their last Premier League encounter against Crystal Palace, which the Gunners won 1-0 to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

  3. Ronaldo & Al-Nassr dumped out of cup by 10-man Al-Ittihad

    Karim Benzema starred with a goal as reigning champions Al-Ittihad reached the quarter-final of the Saudi King's Cup of Champions after edging out Pro League leaders Al-Nassr 2-1 on Tuesday. Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Joao Felix had a night to forget as they failed to deliver in front of the goal despite dominating proceedings for the majority of the game with an extra player on the pitch.

  4. Guardiola kills hopes of 'unbelievable guy' Phillips

    Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Manchester City outcast Kalvin Phillips won't feature in his starting lineup for their upcoming Carabao Cup clash against Swansea City, despite the midfielder returning to action in the same competition against Huddersfield Town in September. Phillips is hoping to get more game time after featuring for just seven minutes for the Cityzens in the 2025-26 campaign.

  5. Neymar & Camavinga tease Vini Jr over Instagram post

    Neymar and Eduardo Camavinga both teased Vinicius Junior in the comments of his Instagram post featuring his girlfriend Virginia Fonseca. The Real Madrid winger posed with his partner while hugging her from behind in a decorated room with teddy bears, balloons and rose petals. His team-mates left cheeky remarks on the social media upload, which was also liked by Brazilian Ronaldo and Erling Haaland.

  6. Delap set for Chelsea return - but won't take long throws

    Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Liam Delap has recovered from his injury and could be in Chelsea's matchday squad for their Carabao Cup fixture against Wolves on Wednesday. The Blues boss also jokingly expressed doubt over whether the English striker could take long throw-ins like his father and former Premier League star, Rory.

  7. Emery delivers honest Elliott verdict after leaving him out of City win

    Unai Emery gave his honest verdict on Harvey Elliott after he left the Liverpool loanee out of Aston Villa's matchday squad for the third game in a row against Manchester City on Sunday. The Villans clinched all three points against Pep Guardiola's side courtesy of a first-half goal from Matty Cash as they moved up to eighth in the Premier League table, tied on points with reigning champions Liverpool.

  8. Pereira explains furious confrontation with Wolves fans after Burnley loss

    Wolves manager Vitor Pereira explained why he clashed with the home fans at Molineux after his side went down 3-2 against Burnley on Sunday. This was Wolves' seventh defeat in their last nine Premier League matches as they continue to struggle at the bottom of the league table with just two points. Wolves are also the only club in all of England's top four divisions yet to win a game this season.

  1. Bellingham takes clear swipe at Yamal after Clasico win

    Jude Bellingham took a clear swipe at Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal on social media after starring in Real Madrid's Clasico victory on Sunday. Madrid lost all four of their head-to-head clashes against arch-rivals Barcelona last season, but under Xabi Alonso's tutelage, they reclaimed the bragging rights in a bad-tempered encounter at Santiago Bernabeu.

  2. Carvajal accused of 'making a scene' with Yamal confrontation

    Spain team-mates Dani Carvajal and Lamine Yamal were spotted in a fierce confrontation following Real Madrid's Clasico win over Barcelona on Sunday. Several other Real Madrid stars appeared to target Yamal when a mass scuffle broke out after the final whistle, and Frenkie de Jong has accused Los Blancos of showing "exaggerated" anger towards the Barcelona wonderkid. Madrid emerged 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.

  3. Ronaldo nets 950th career goal as Al-Nassr continue perfect start

    Cristiano Ronaldo achieved his milestone 950th career goal as Al-Nassr comfortably beat Al-Hazm 2-0 to maintain their 100 per cent record in the Saudi Arabian top-flight. Joao Felix opened the scoring in the first half with a brilliant header, while his compatriot and Portugal captain finished the job with a precise strike from close range to secure another crucial three points for his club.

  4. Maresca gives brutal vedict on Chelsea's last-gasp defeat

    A disappointed Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca gave a brutal verdict after the Blues' last-gasp defeat at the hands of Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday. Alejandro Garnacho scored his maiden goal for Chelsea to give them an early lead but Sunderland bounced back, riding on Wilson Isidor's equaliser and Chemsdine Talbi's last-minute winner.

  5. Beleaguered Premier League boss given four games to save his job

    Wolves boss Vitor Pereira could become the fourth Premier League manager to be sacked in the 2025-26 campaign as the Portuguese coach has reportedly been given just four matches to prove himself. Wolves are off to a nightmare start in the new season as they have failed to register a single victory after eight rounds of matches in the Premier League and find themselves languishing at the bottom of the league table.

  6. Bayern chief sends out strong message on talk of move for Guehi

    Bayern Munich chief Max Eberl has seemingly confirmed that the club will pursue a move for Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi as the German champions look to bolster their backline. Guehi, who is in the final year of his existing deal at Selhurst Park, has been linked with a move away from the club next summer as a free agent, with clubs including Liverpool and Inter in the race to sign him.