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. UK PM Starmer sends thoughts to Jota's family

    UK prime minister Keir Starmer condoled the death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and sent his thoughts to the player's bereaved family. Jota and his brother Andre Silva tragically died in a car crash shortly after midnight on the morning of July 3, 2025. Their Lamborghini is said to have suffered a tyre blowout, leading to it careering off the road and bursting into flames.

  2. Klopp admits heartbreak after passing of 'great friend' Jota

    Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp mourned the passing of 'great friend' Diogo Jota on social media. Jota and his brother Andre Silva tragically died in a car accident shortly after midnight on the morning of July 3, 2025. The Lamborghini they were travelling in is said to have suffered a tyre blowout, leading to it careering off the road and bursting into flames.

  3. Nunez posts tribute to Jota on social media

    Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez posted a heartwarming tribute to colleague Diogo Jota after the Portuguese tragically passed away. Jota and his brother Andre Silva were involved in a car accident in Zamora, north-western Spain, shortly after midnight on Thursday. Nunez condoled the death while showing strength and solidarity with Jota's wife and children.

  4. Diogo Jota Liverpool 2025

    Portuguese Football Federation president pays tribute to Jota

    Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca mourned the death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva as he paid a touching tribute. The Liverpool star, 28, tragically passed away shortly after midnight on Thursday when the vehicle they were travelling in came off the motorway in the municipality of Cernadilla, in the province of Zamora in the north west of Spain.

  5. Florian Wirtz

    Leverkusen director reveals how Liverpool secured Wirtz transfer

    Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has opened up on how Liverpool beat Bayern Munich and Manchester City to secure the transfer for German sensation Florian Wirtz this summer. Wirtz opted to move to Anfield for a British record transfer fee of £116 million ($159m) despite strong interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern and the Cityzens.

  6. Chelsea plot move for Casado with Barcelona open to departure

    Chelsea could consider signing Marc Casado from Barcelona this summer as the Catalan side are reportedly open to listening to offers for the midfielder. Casado is well settled at Barcelona but could still consider moving due to a lack of regular first-team opportunities. Hansi Flick's current squad has too many midfield options which would certainly limit Casado's game time.

  1. Carvajal ready to 'play anywhere' for Alonso

    Dani Carvajal is ready to play in any position under new Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso as the veteran Spanish full-back eyes a return to the Los Blancos squad after remaining sidelined with an ACL injury since last October. Carvajal rejoined Madrid training earlier this month and is now hopeful of getting game time under Alonso in the upcoming 2025-26 campaign.

  2. Chelsea not ruling out swoop for West Ham star Kudus

    Chelsea are set to compete with their Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur to secure a transfer for West Ham star Mohammed Kudus. The Blues have already signed Liam Delap from Ipswich Town and are now closing in on signing Joao Pedro from Brighton and Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund. Earlier this month, the Hammers had received a £50 million ($68m) bid from Spurs.

  3. Messi 'considers' MLS exit ahead of 2026 World Cup

    Lionel Messi could consider leaving Inter Miami to play in a more competitive league ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America. Messi and Co. faced humiliation in the Club World Cup round of 16 stage after suffering a 4-0 loss to Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain. The Argentine's current deal expires at the end of 2025 and he has reportedly put fresh contract talks on hold.

  4. Newcastle rival Arsenal transfer interest in Madueke

    Newcastle United have joined Arsenal in the race to sign Chelsea winger Noni Madueke this summer as the Blues are ready to sell the player. The West London club have been active in the summer transfer window as they have signed Liam Delap and are now close to securing transfers for Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens. Once the new players join the team, they will next focus on selling several stars.

  5. Delap has 'a long way to go' before replacing Kane

    Former Chelsea defender William Gallas has warned Liam Delap that he still has a long way to go before the striker can be touted as a long-term replacement for Harry Kane in the England national team. Delap has displayed impressive form since moving to Chelsea from Ipswich Town this summer and is slowly establishing himself as the Blues' first-choice forward.

  6. Miami boss 'proud' of Messi & Co despite PSG 'bloodbath'

    Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano hailed his team's performance in their Club World Cup round of 16 clash against Paris Saint-Germain but labelled the first half as a 'bloodbath' as the MLS side went down 4-0 against the European champions. Joao Neves led the way with a brace and Achraf Hakimi was also on target, while Tomas Aviles scored an own goal as Inter Miami were decimated before the interval.