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. CR7 staying silent in Man Utd WhatsApp group due to fear of ex-team-mate

    Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo chooses to remain silent in a WhatsApp group comprising ex-Red Devils stars because he fears the Englishman's status as a "journalist". Following his retirement from professional football, Ferdinand has kept himself busy by working as a pundit for various broadcasters. He also hosts his own podcast on his YouTube channel Rio Ferdinand Presents.

  2. Slot brutally brands Man Utd a 'long-ball team'

    Arne Slot brutally branded Manchester United a "long-ball team" as he claimed Liverpool "hardly conceded a chance" in their disappointing 2-1 loss at Anfield on Sunday. United registered their first victory at Anfield since 2016 and secured back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time since Ruben Amorim took over as head coach in November last year.

  3. Endrick's stance on potential move to Marseille revealed

    Real Madrid outcast Endrick has made up his mind on a potential move to Marseille, which could see the Brazilian youngster link up with Mason Greenwood in France in the January transfer window. After a difficult debut campaign at Santiago Bernabeu, which saw the teenager struggle for game time, things have worsened under Xabi Alonso, as he has yet to feature in a La Liga or Champions League match in the new season.

  4. 📽️ | Ronaldo directs IShowSpeed in drum beating celebration

    Cristiano Ronaldo was spotted directing IShowSpeed in drum beating celebrations after Al-Nassr's 5-1 victory over Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday. YouTube sensation IShowSpeed, who is known to be a Ronaldo super fan, was spotted at the stands in Riyadh as he watched Ronaldo score a thunderous goal and help take Al-Nassr four points clear at the top of the league table.

  5. Alaba feels 'himself' again after overcoming injury hell

    David Alaba has regained full fitness after overcoming an injury nightmare and is now prepared to fight for a regular place in the Real Madrid starting lineup under Xabi Alonso. The Austrian defender no longer wants to be the team's fifth-choice centre-back behind Dean Huijsen, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asencio after working so hard to get back on the pitch.

  6. Felix bags hat-trick & Ronaldo scores stunner in Al-Nassr win

    Cristiano Ronaldo made amends for a penalty miss by scoring a stunning goal in the second half, while Joao Felix stole the limelight with a sublime hat-trick to help Al-Nassr pick up a thumping 5-1 win over Al Fateh on Saturday in the Saudi Pro League. Jorge Jesus' side maintained their 100 per cent record in the league, as they remained at the top of the table with 15 points from their first five games.

  1. Maresca reveals why he's 'not worried' about Chelsea red cards

    Enzo Maresca revealed why he is "not worried" about Chelsea's disciplinary record after Malo Gusto became the latest player to be sent off towards the end of their Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The Blues have now had to cope with sending off in four out of their last six matches across all competitions. Despite being a man down, Maresca's side comfortably clinched a 3-0 win over Forest.

  2. Longman misses sitter as Wrexham beaten again in Championship

    Ryan Longman failed to convert an easy chance as Wrexham suffered yet another Championship defeat at the hands of high-flying Stoke City. The loss comes as yet another setback for Ryan Reyndols and Rob Mac's side, who continue to remain in the bottom half of the league table. Sorba Thomas scored a stunning goal for the hosts in the 36th minute to seal a key win for his side.

  3. Is Mbappe back? Alonso provides key fitness update on striker

    Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso provided a key update on Kylian Mbappe's fitness ahead of the club's La Liga fixture against Getafe this weekend. The star forward picked up an injury while on international duty with France. He limped off the pitch late on during Les Bleus' clash with Azerbaijan and missed their World Cup qualifier against Iceland after being released from the French squad.

  4. Tuchel to hold Bellingham talks after England squad snub

    England boss Thomas Tuchel has revealed that he will speak to Jude Bellingham after overlooking the Real Madrid star for his latest Three Lions squad. Tuchel faced a lot of criticism last month when he announced his group for the October international break as big stars like Phil Foden and Jack Grealish were also missing. However, despite their absence, England confirmed their place at the 2026 World Cup with relative ease.

  5. Rangers snubbed again after Gerrard rejection

    Former Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl has rejected an offer from Rangers as their search for a new manager continues amid uncertainty over Steven Gerrard's availability. Gers are in search of a new head coach after they parted ways with Russell Martin following a nightmare start to their 2025-26 campaign. Gerrard was at one point the favourite to take the job but he later pulled out, although his name is now back in the headlines.

  6. Gerrard again becomes favourite for Rangers job despite snub

    There has been a twist in Rangers' manager hunt as Steven Gerrard has once again emerged as favourite to take charge at Ibrox Stadium, days after he pulled out of the race for the head coach's role. After Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin earlier this month, Gerrard was poised to return to Glasgow and he even held talks with the club hierarchy, but he later withdrew his name.