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. Rooney reveals hilarious encounter between Van Gaal & Coleen

    England legend Wayne Rooney has opened up on the hilariously awkward first encounter between former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal and his wife, Coleen. Rooney was an important figure in the United squad managed by the legendary Dutch manager between 2014 and 2016. Together they won the FA Cup in the 2015-16 campaign, but it wasn't enough to keep Van Gaal in the job.

  2. Rooney backs Grealish for England recall

    Wayne Rooney has backed Jack Grealish to make an England comeback after he joined Everton on loan in the summer. Grealish ended his struggles at Manchester City during the transfer window by completing a switch to the Toffees. He has made a bright start to his journey on Merseyside, registering four assists in three Premier League games.

  3. Liverpool rule OUT imminent approach for Guehi

    Liverpool won't reignite their interest in Marc Guehi in the January transfer window as they look to sign the England defender for free next summer once his Crystal Palace contract expires. The Reds were very close to landing Guehi in the summer transfer window, until Palace chairman Steve Parish pulled the plug on the deal at the 11th hour on deadline day.

  4. Konate reveals Mbappe is trying to broker his Liverpool exit

    Ibrahima Konate has jokingly claimed that Kylian Mbappe calls him frequently to convince him to follow in Trent Alexander-Arnold's footsteps and join Real Madrid next summer. Konate, who has entered the final year of his contract with Liverpool, has been linked with a move to Los Blancos as he has yet to negotiate a new deal with the Premier League champions.

  5. Hansi Flick Barcelona 2025

    Barca star ready to sign five-year contract

    Barcelona defender Eric Garcia is closing in on signing a new long-term contract, which will keep him at the Catalan club until 2029. Garcia was deemed surplus to Barcelona's needs before Hansi Flick took charge of the club. However, since the German coach came in, Garcia has managed to revive his career and the Spanish defender played a key role in the club's success last season.

  1. Bayern chief confirms Jackson will NOT join them permanently

    Bayern Munich's honorary president Uli Hoeness has appeared confirm that Nicolas Jackson won't join the German champions permanently next summer. Jackson completed his move on deadline day after Bayern agreed a deal with the Blues for the Senegalese striker to join on an initial season-long loan with an obligation to buy next year for £56 million (€64.5m/$76m).

  2. Real Madrid Fans

    Three players sent off in fiery Madrid U18 clash

    Three River Plate players were sent off during their fiery clash against Real Madrid U-18 side in a quarter-final clash at the Youth Club World Cup. The Argentine club ended the game with eight players on the pitch as three of their youth stars were given their marching orders for violent challenges. Madrid won the clash 2-0 and qualified for the last-four as a result.

  3. Man City ace involved in bitter row with neighbours

    Manchester City's summer signing Marcus Bettinelli has become involved in a bitter row with neighbours over adding an unauthorised development to his £2 million mansion. The incident happened just weeks after the goalkeeper chopped down 40-foot trees in front of his luxurious residence in Cobham, Surrey. Bettinelli moved to City from Chelsea during the transfer window.

  4. Cunha posts cryptic injury update as he continues recovery

    Matheus Cunha has shared a cryptic update on his injury status as the Brazilian continues his recovery during the international break. Cunha was forced off the pitch in Manchester United's 3-2 win over Burnley in their last Premier League clash and the striker later withdrew from the Brazil national team. The new United signing is now eyeing a return to action ahead of the Manchester derby next weekend.

  5. Nicolas Jackson Chelsea 2025

    Jackson sends message to Chelsea after Bayern loan move

    Nicolas Jackson has sent a message to Chelsea for the first time since completing his loan move to Bayern Munich on deadline day. Bayern agreed a deal with the Blues for the Senegalese striker to join on an initial season-long loan with an obligation to buy next summer for £56 million (€64.5m/$76m). Jackson was linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge after falling out of favour under Enzo Maresca.

  6. Rooney reveals how Coleen makeover led to embarrassing moment

    Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney revealed how a makeover from his wife Coleen, left him embarrassed on his first England call-up. Rooney, who made his senior professional debut with Everton in 2002, earned his maiden national team call-up a year later. He appeared for the Three Lions for the first time in February 2003 against Australia in a friendly.

  7. Guler responds to Yamal comparison as he prepares for showdown

    Real Madrid star Arda Guler opened up on being compared to Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal as the young midfielder is preparing to take on Spain with Turkey in a 2026 World Cup qualifying game on Sunday. Twenty-year-old Guler, who joined Los Blancos in the summer of 2023, has finally established himself as a first-team starter under new manager Xabi Alonso.