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. Maresca backs Estevao to emulate Yamal but warns against comparison

    Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has backed Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian to emulate Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal but warned against comparisons ahead of the Champions League showdown between the European giants. Although his minutes have been carefully managed and he is not yet a guaranteed starter, Estevao has made an impressive start to life at Stamford Bridge, making five goal contributions already.

  2. Spurs target nine-goal striker to finally replace Kane

    Tottenham are finally looking to "fill the void" left by club legend Harry Kane's departure to Bayern Munich as they target a new striker. Kane left his boyhood club in the summer of 2023 in search of a new challenge as he joined the Bundesliga giants for a record fee. The England international has enjoyed a purple patch since moving to Germany and also won his maiden trophy of his career when Bayern lifted the Bundesliga title in 2025.

  3. Messi's forgotten team-mate returns to action after doping ban

    Lionel Messi's former World Cup-winning Argentina team-mate, Alejandro Gomez, has finally returned to action for an Italian second-tier club after serving a two-year doping ban. Gomez, who was part of Argentina's triumph in Qatar three years ago, has not touched a football since October 2023 after testing positive for a banned substance. He last played for Monza in Serie A.

  4. Conte rubbishes Napoli exit talk after president's post

    Napoli manager Antonio Conte played down talk of leaving after the club president made a controversial 'taking the team back' social media post following their win over Atalanta on Saturday. Conte reaffirmed his commitment to the club he had led to a title win only six months back. With the 3-1 victory over Atalanta, Napoli have climbed back to second position in Serie A.

  5. Ex-Inter defender and Belgium international retires aged 26

    Former Inter and Belgium defender Zinho Vanheusden has announced his retirement from professional football aged just 26, with the centre-back releasing a heartbreaking statement confirming his surprise decision. Vanheusden plied his trade in Italy, Belgium and Netherlands before heading to Spain this summer as he signed for third-tier club Marbella, but has now called time on his career.

  6. Vinicius Junior Real Madrid 2025

    Vini Jr could leave Madrid with no new contract talks planned

    Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior could leave the club in the coming transfer windows as no new contract talks are currently planned following months of silence in negotiations. Once close to finalising a new deal until 2030, talks have now frozen between the two parties amid growing tension between the Brazilian winger and manager Xabi Alonso. The 25-year-old's current contract runs until 2027.

  1. Palhinha uses Ronaldo point to hit back at Carragher

    Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Joao Palhinha used Cristiano Ronaldo as part of a point to bite back at Jamie Carragher after the pundit's criticism of the Bayern Munich loanee. After struggling in his maiden season in Germany due to injuries and poor form, Palhinha returned to the Premier League in the summer, but not everyone has been convinced by his Spurs performances.

  2. Premier League boss responds to talk of ÂŁ60m move for McTominay

    Premier League manager responds to talk of ÂŁ60m move for Napoli star Scott McTominay after rumours surfaced that the Scotland star could head back to England soon after completing a move from Manchester United to the Italian side in the summer of 2024. McTominay enjoyed great success in his maiden season in Italy as he helped Napoli win the league title and was declared Serie A's Player of the Season.

  3. Mane reveals why he's blown away by 'incredible' Ronaldo

    Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane explained exactly why he's blown away by 'incredible' Al-Nassr team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo. Mane has shared a dressing room with Ronaldo for more than two years and has built a formidable partnership with the Portuguese legend in the Al-Nassr attack. Mane moved to Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2023, just six months after Ronaldo arrived at the club.

  4. Terry reveals why he turned down big-money move to Chelsea's rivals

    Chelsea legend and former England star John Terry revealed why he turned down a big-money move to the Blues' Premier League title rivals during his playing days. A bona fide Stamford Bridge legend, Terry was associated with the Blues for 19 years from his academy days in 1998 up until 2017. In his senior professional career, Terry has won multiple honours, including five Premier League titles.