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. 'Never felt like a genius' - Mourinho a 'much better' coach now

    Jose Mourinho claims that he feels that he is a 'much better coach than before' as the Benfica boss prepares for a reunion with his former club Chelsea in the Champions League. After losing his job at Fenerbahce last month, Mourinho returned to his homeland to take charge of Benfica. Under the veteran coach, the Liga Portugal side have registered two wins and a draw thus far.

  2. Maresca explains reason for Chelsea owners' dressing room visit

    Enzo Maresca explained why Chelsea's owners visited the Blues' dressing after a humiliating loss in the Premier League against Brighton on Saturday. After the disappointing home defeat, Chelsea's co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali, along with several club officials marched straight into the dressing room. Maresca, however, played down the incident by claiming it is a regular occurrence.

  3. Dembele reveals Messi message 'really struck' PSG star

    Ousmane Dembele revealed that Lionel Messi's 'direct message' after Ballon d'Or win 'really struck' him as the Frenchman claimed that his former Barcelona colleagues and coach congratulated him. Dembele beat Blaugrana sensation Lamine Yamal to win the Golden Ball earlier this week after starring for PSG in the 2024-25 campaign, where the French giants won the treble.

  4. Arteta bites back at Arsenal's critics after 'handbrake off' message

    Mikel Arteta has hit back at Arsenal's critics after being send a "handbrake off" message by pundits following their draw against Manchester City last Sunday. Arteta's side dominated possession against City and stole a point after a last-gasp equaliser from Gabriel Martinelli at Emirates Stadium, but the Spaniard's tactics have been called into question.

  1. Al-Nassr boss explains why Ronaldo was left on bench vs Jeddah

    Jorge Jesus has explained why he decided to leave Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench during Al-Nassr's Saudi King Cup of Champions round of 32 clash with Jeddah on Tuesday. In Ronaldo's absence, his compatriot Joao Felix starred for Al-Nassr as the Saudi giants beat Jeddah 4-0. Felix contributed with a goal and an assist to continue his dream start to life in Saudi Arabia.

  2. Arteta drops Havertz injury bombshell

    Mikel Arteta has dropped a bombshell update on Kai Havertz's injury while admitting that Arsenal "really miss" the German forward. Havertz is currently sidelined due to a knee issue he picked up during an Arsenal training session last month. Injuries have disrupted the start of Arsenal's 2025-26 campaign, and Havertz is not due back any time soon.

  3. Kane defying Kompany's expectations as Bayern

    Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany has revealed how Harry Kane has defied his expectations, while explaining what makes the striker special. Kane has proved to be one of Bayern's best signings in the last decade, breaking multiple records since moving to Germany from Tottenham in the summer of 2023. He has won the Golden Boot award in back-to-back seasons and won his first career title in the form of the Bundesliga last term.

  4. Slot tears into Ekitike for 'needless & stupid' red card

    Arne Slot slammed Hugo Ekitike for picking up a "needless and stupid" red card after scoring Liverpool's winner against Southampton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. The Reds boss also gave full credit for Ekitike's goal to Federico Chiesa, who provided the unselfish pass for the Frenchman to claim the glory. Ekitike's sending off now means that he will be suspended for Liverpool's next Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace.

  5. Neymar erupts with rage over Raphinha's final Ballon d'Or position

    Neymar has taken a clear swipe at France Football while raging over Raphinha's final Ballon d'Or position. The Brazil and Barcelona winger finished fifth in the final vote, while Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele scooped the main prize ahead of second placed Lamine Yamal. Raphinha played a key role for Barca alongside Yamal as they won three domestic titles last season.