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. West Ham make Potter sack call amid links with Nuno & Bilic

    West Ham have reportedly made a call on Graham Potter's potential sacking amid links with former Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo and Slaven Bilic. The Hammers are sitting in the Premier League relegation zone after a nightmare start to the new season and have also exited the Carabao Cup after a second round defeat to Wolves.

  2. Dembele beat Yamal to 2025 Ballon d'Or by 'wide margin'

    France Football's editor-in-chief Vincent Garcia has confirmed that Ousmane Dembele beat Lamine Yamal to the 2025 Ballon d'Or by a "wide margin". Dembele and Yamal were the last men standing among the 30 nominees but it was the Paris Saint-Germain star who ultimately claimed the award after a historic 2024-25 season.

  3. Messi sends special message to Dembele after Ballon d'Or win

    Lionel Messi sent a special message to ex-Barcelona team-mate Ousmane Dembele to congratulate him on winning the Ballon d'Or this year. Dembele edged out Blaugrana sensation Lamine Yamal to grab the Golden Ball. The French winger experienced the best season of his career in the 2024-25 campaign as he inspired Paris Saint-Germain to a historic treble.

  4. 'He's done his job in the PL!' - Kane urged to retire at Bayern

    Harry Kane has been urged to end his professional career at Bayern Munich by Germany legend Lothar Matthaus, who claims the England striker has "done his job in the Premier League". The former Tottenham star, who still has two years left in his existing deal, continues to be linked with a return to England so he can chase down Alan Shearer's Premier League goals record.

  5. Neville ranks 'absolute animal' Donnarumma above Raya

    Gary Neville has ranked Manchester City's new goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma above Arsenal's David Raya and compared the Italian with former Manchester stars Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar. Neville labelled the former Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper an "absolute animal" after watching him shine in City's 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Sunday.

  1. 'Time for football to be fair!' - Last-minute Salah Ballon d'Or plea entered

    Egypt boss Hossam Hassan has entered a last-minute please for Mohamed Salah to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or as he appealed for fair treatment for the Liverpool forward. Hassan also hailed Salah as a "role model for all success seekers" in a passionate social media statement. Salah scored 34 goals across all competitions for the Reds last season and played a pivotal role in the team's Premier League title success.

  2. Kansas City Current

    Kansas City become quickest team ever to clinch NWSL Shield

    The Kansas City Current have become the quickest team ever to win the National Women's Soccer League Shield after extending their winning streak to 14 matches. The Current beat Seattle Reign FC 2-0 to secure the title with five games to spare in the 2025 season. This was the club's first major trophy since being formed in 2020.

  3. Barcelona legend Ronaldinho to give out 2025 Ballon d'Or

    Barcelona legend Ronaldinho will reportedly give out the 2025 Ballon d'Or in Paris on Monday night as Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal vie for football's most prestigious individual award. Dembele is being tipped as the favourite to win the Golden Ball after playing a key role in Paris Saint-Germain's historic treble success last season.

  4. Arsenal wonderkid Dowman makes history with solo goal

    Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman created history after scoring a stunning solo goal for the Gunners youth side in their 3-2 win over Wolves in Premier League 2 on Saturday. The English teenager, widely regarded as one of the finest young talents in world football, made his senior professional debut for Mikel Arteta's side during a Premier League clash against Leeds last month.