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. Van Dijk opens up on Liverpool's defensive struggles

    Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk addressed the club's defensive woes as Crystal Palace twice came from behind to beat the Reds and lift the Community Shield on Sunday. Van Dijk admitted there have been problems in the backline that need to be resolved and urged his colleagues to regain last season's defensive form, where the champions conceded 41 league goals.

  2. Arteta claims Gyokeres will 'destroy' defences

    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta heaped praise on new signing Viktor Gyokeres, who scored his first goal for the Gunners since his move to North London from Sporting CP this summer. The Premier League giants thrashed La Liga side Athletic Club 3-0 in their final pre-season friendly courtesy of goals from Gyokeres, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz.

  3. Liverpool confirm that Nunez has completed move to Al-Hilal

    Liverpool have confirmed that star striker Darwin Nunez has completed his transfer to Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal. Nunez, who was linked with a move away from Anfield since the start of the summer transfer window, has secured a permanent move to Saudi Arabia. The Uruguayan forward, who joined the Reds in 2023 from Benfica for a whopping £64 million ($86m), spent just three years at the Merseyside club.

  4. Howe suggests Isak WILL be allowed to leave

    Eddie Howe provided an update on Alexander Isak's future at St James' Park as he hinted that Newcastle United could allow the striker to leave this summer, amid strong interest from Liverpool. Isak has been training alone and was even left out of a club event earlier this week after he strongly expressed his desire to leave the Magpies and secure a transfer to Anfield.

  5. Leeds line up ambitious swoop for Brighton star

    Leeds United are plotting an ambitious move to sign Facundo Buonanotte from Brighton. The Argentine attacking midfielder spent the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Leicester City and had an impressive outing for the Foxes in the Premier League, although the club faced relegation. Leeds boss Daniel Farke is aiming to build a competitive squad so that the club can survive in the top-flight this year.

  6. Explained: Why Baleba was absent from Brighton squad

    Carlos Baleba missed Brighton's third consecutive pre-season friendly match against Wolfsburg on Saturday amid transfer links to Manchester United. The Red Devils have shown interest in the highly-rated young midfielder and they reportedly even tried to offer players in exchange to secure a transfer. Brighton, on the other hand, have maintained that they won't sell Baleba this summer.

  7. Newcastle 'advancing' in Thiaw pursuit as €40m bid tabled

    Newcastle United are in advanced talks with AC Milan over the transfer of German defender Malick Thiaw after they submitted an improved bid of €40 million. The player has agreed on personal terms and has given his signal to the move as the two clubs now discuss the final terms of the deal. The Magpies, who suffered disappointment in several of their transfer pursuits, are finally able to seal a move.

  1. Fabinho opens up on painful Liverpool exit

    Former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho reminisced about his time at Anfield, while spilling details on his painful exit from the club, as he joined Saudi Pro League giants Al-Ittihad in 2023. The Brazilian spent five years at the Merseyside club, where he won multiple trophies, including the Champions League in his maiden campaign and the Premier League title in the subsequent season.

  2. Chelsea won't sign new defender despite Colwill's ACL injury

    Chelsea do not intend to sign a new defender despite Levi Colwill's ACL injury. The Blues were dealt a major injury blow earlier this week as Colwill sustained an ACL injury during pre-season training and later underwent surgery. The English defender will be sidelined for a significant period of time during the 2025-26 campaign. Yet, the Blues do not have an 'emergency plan' to enter the transfer market.

  3. CR7 praises former Sporting CP icon Gyokeres after Arsenal move

    Cristiano Ronaldo hailed former Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres as a 'special player' following the striker's move to Arsenal this summer. Gyokeres signed for the Gunners for a whopping £64 million (€74m/$86m) transfer fee, including bonuses related to appearances, goals and assists. The striker was in demand in the transfer market after a successful season at Sporting, where he scored 54 goals.