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. Bellingham responds to Liverpool fans' hostile treatment of Trent

    Jude Bellingham has issued a thoughtful response to Liverpool fans booing Trent Alexander-Arnold. The former Reds star was back at Anfield on Tuesday with Real Madrid in the Champions League and received a hostile reception from home supporters on Merseyside. The full-back's decision to leave his boyhood club this summer and head to the Santiago Bernabeu enraged many fans, who made their feelings known.

  2. 'The United Strand' warned out-of-control afro may need braiding soon

    Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown has warned Red Devils fan 'The United Strand' that he might have to get his out-of-control afro braided following the club's 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest last weekend. The viral sensation, whose real name is Frank Ilett, has vowed not to cut his hair until United win five matches on the bounce. Ruben Amorim's side were on a three-game winning spree until Forest ended their streak.

  3. Ronaldo reveals most expensive thing he's ever bought

    Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed the most expensive thing he has ever bought and compared becoming a billionaire to winning the Ballon d'Or. In October 2025, Ronaldo's net worth reportedly climbed to a staggering $1.4 billion (£1.04bn/€1.2bn) after he put pen to paper on the most lucrative contract extension in sporting history with Al-Nassr. Under the terms of the new deal, the forward now earns a whopping £178m-a-year in wages.

  4. Arsenal match 105-year-old record with remarkable defensive run

    Arsenal equalled a 105-year-old record after extending their remarkable defensive run with another shut-out win over Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Tuesday. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Mikel Merino, who was covering for the injured Viktor Gyokeres upfront, added a brace to give Arsenal a comfortable 3-0 win in the Czech Republic.

  5. Why free agent Oxlade-Chamberlain has returned to Arsenal

    Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has returned to Arsenal after eight years and has been spotted training with the club's Under-21 side. Oxlade-Chamberlain left the Gunners in 2017 to join Premier League rivals Liverpool, where he spent six years before heading to Besiktas in Turkey. This summer, the versatile midfielder mutually terminated his contract to become a free agent.

  1. Man Utd legend responds to links with vacant Wolves job

    Manchester United legend Michael Carrick has responded to links with the vacant Wolves manager's job following the sacking of Vitor Pereira. After weeks of speculation, the Premier League side finally took the difficult decision as they parted ways with the Portuguese coach following the club's nightmare start to the 2025-26 campaign, where they have remained winless after their first 10 matches.

  2. Howe fumes at 'mentally' weak Newcastle players after West Ham loss

    A furious Eddie Howe slammed the mentality of his Newcastle United players after a damning defeat to West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday. The Magpies had a nightmare outing at the London Stadium as they gifted the Hammers their first home win in nine months. After the loss, Howe's side have now slipped to 13th place in the Premier League table, with just three wins from their first 10 matches.

  3. 'Animal' Caicedo labelled 'best in the world' by Chelsea team-mate

    Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez hailed team-mate Moises Caicedo as an "actual animal" while calling him the "best midfielder in the world" after the Ecuador international provided the match-winning assist in the Blues' 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. The victory helped the Blues climb up to sixth in the Premier League league table, level on 17 points with Spurs, Sunderland and Manchester United.

  4. Brendan Rodgers

    Wolves line up move to appoint Rodgers after sacking Pereira

    Brendan Rodgers could return to the Premier League after two years, as the ex-Liverpool manager is being deemed the front-runner to become Wolves' new head coach, replacing Vitor Pereira at the helm. The Portuguese coach was relieved of his duties following the club's humiliating 3-0 defeat against Fulham this weekend, which left them winless after their first 10 league matches.

  5. Foden delighted with start to life at Man City this season

    Phil Foden is delighted to endure an impressive start in the 2025-26 campaign as he claimed that the former Premier League champions are capable of further improving their performances as the season progresses. The Cityzens have collected 16 points from their first nine matches in the league and could climb up to the second position if they beat Bournemouth in a crucial clash at home on Sunday.

  6. Spurs & Chelsea poised to battle for Porto striker Aghehowa

    Premier League rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are all set to go head-to-head in the transfer market to secure a move for FC Porto's star striker Samu Aghehowa. The young Spaniard has enjoyed tremendous success since moving to the Liga Portugal in the summer of 2024. The 21-year-old is a key figure in the Porto squad, but the club are reportedly ready to sanction a move for him.

  7. Rob Mac sends heatfelt thank you after Wrexham comeback

    Wrexham co-owner Rob Mac sent a heartfelt thank you to the club fans after they staged a brilliant comeback win over league leaders Coventry City on Friday. After a disappointing exit from the Carabao Cup earlier this week, the Red Dragons were desperate for a victory in the Championship and Kieffer Moore delivered it for the Welsh club with an outstanding hat-trick.