📝Bio: Soham has been living and breathing football stories for almost a decade, carving his path as a news and SEO writer with an instinct for the big moments. Armed with an MA (Honours) in Sports Journalism from Symbiosis International University, he knew early on that his future wouldn’t be on the pitch but behind the pen, shaping narratives about the game he adores. He joined GOAL in 2017 and has since made his mark covering the Indian Super League, I-League, and the Indian national team. Based in Kolkata, where football is a religion, he grew up watching Bhaichung Bhutia scoring goals for fun in India, before falling head over heels for Real Madrid, a club that now dictates the rhythm of his everyday life.⚽My Football Story: It all began back in 2002. A cricket bat in hand, ready to step out, but then the skies opened up. The rain kept me indoors, and that twist of fate led me to the sofa, beside my father, who had a football match on TV. Little did I know at the time but it was the World Cup final: Brazil vs Germany. Forget the goals – what grabbed my imagination was Ronaldo’s haircut and his iconic celebration. From there, cricket slowly faded and football fever took over. By my teenage years, I was sneaking out of bed at 1am to watch the Champions League - fair to say I was hooked for life.
🎯Areas of Expertise:
Social media-specific content
Premier League, Champions League, European & Indian football coverage
Tactical analysis on the Indian national team
World Cup & European Championship tournaments
🌟Favourite Footballing Memory: The day Mohun Bagan demolished East Bengal 5-3 in the Kolkata Derby, with Chidi Edeh scoring four - a moment when the city turned maroon and green. But nothing beats the spine-tingling sight of Sergio Ramos’ 93rd-minute header in Lisbon, the goal that crowned Real Madrid’s La Decima and etched itself into footballing history.📝My All-Time XI: Iker Casillas; Phillip Lahm, Sergio Ramos, Fabio Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos; Claude Makélélé, Ronaldinho, Zinedine Zidane; Cristiano Ronaldo, Raúl, Lionel Messi.
Sir Alex Ferguson has delivered a stark assessment of Manchester United’s long road back to the summit of English football, suggesting the club could face another decade without a league title despite early signs of progress under Ruben Amorim. Speaking during a visit to Bahrain, the legendary former manager offered a realistic prediction of the future, acknowledging the scale of the task at hand while urging patience in a demanding era.
Aston Villa are keeping a close watch on Brennan Johnson’s situation at Tottenham Hotspur, with the Midlands club expected to weigh up a potential move should the Wales international become available in 2026. While no formal approach has been made, TEAMtalk reports that Villa would be prepared to assess a deal if Spurs show a genuine willingness to part ways with a player who has slipped down the pecking order under Thomas Frank.
Arsenal have identified Real Madrid teenager Victor Valdepenas as a serious long-term target, with plans reportedly forming for a move in 2026 that could test the resolve of the Spanish giants. Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta view the 19-year-old defender as an ideal fit for their evolving squad, with the north London club prepared to play the long game in their pursuit.
Thierry Henry has revealed his "love" for Liverpool fans' reaction to Mohamed Salah's falling out with Arne Slot. The former Arsenal striker admitted he was struck by the maturity and balance shown by the fanbase, who chose unity over division at a delicate moment in the club’s season.
Adidas have chosen a fitting moment to celebrate one of football’s most recognisable figures, unveiling a special-edition F50 boot created in honour of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations. The release, titled the F50 Salah, is designed to reflect both the winger’s extraordinary impact on the modern game.
Manchester City are reportedly closing in on an 18-year-old Troyes wonderkid, Mathys Detourbet, after rolling out the red carpet for the teenager. The 18-year-old has rapidly risen through the ranks in Ligue 2 and is now firmly on the radar of several major European clubs, but City appear well-placed in a competitive race.
Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of one of Brazil’s brightest young forwards is facing a formidable obstacle, with Real Madrid reportedly preparing to muscle in on the race for Vasco da Gama sensation Rayan. The 19-year-old has emerged as one of South America’s most coveted prospects this season, and interest from Europe’s elite is now beginning to crystallise into concrete plans.
Actor Tyrese Gibson on Thursday shared a photo of football icon Cristiano Ronaldo posing with the cast of the eleventh installment of Vin Diesel’s Fast and Furious franchise on the sets of the film. This has fuelled another intense round of speculation about a possible on-screen role for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as he prepares for life beyond football.
Jack Grealish argued over a comparison between Everton ace Iliman Ndiaye and Bukayo Saka, and reckoned that his Merseyside teammate is more skilled than the Arsenal talisman. Speaking on a Stan Sport podcast, Grealish argued that while Saka remains among the most effective wide players in world football, pure skill belongs elsewhere in the Premier League.
Bruno Fernandes has shed light on his relationship with "very serious" Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, who has converted him into a holding midfielder since replacing Erik ten Hag at the helm. Five goals and seven assists in 16 Premier League appearances this season underline Fernandes' enduring influence, helped by the building of "boundaries" between him and Amorim.
Cristiano Ronaldo's "incredible leadership" has been lauded by his Al-Nassr teammate Mohamed Simakan after their "impossible" link-up in Saudi Arabia. The 40-year-old may be approaching the closing chapters of a glittering career, but his influence inside the dressing room remains as powerful as ever. That impact has now been underlined by Simakan, who has spoken openly about the transformational effect of sharing a pitch with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Harry Kane has expressed his delight after welcoming Bayern Munich's "best player" Jamal Musiala back into the first team fold after a six-month injury layoff. The 21-year-old Germany international has been sidelined since July, when a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle cut short his Club World Cup campaign during Bayern’s quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Ruben Amorim has been told he only has two players who rank above "average" at Manchester United. Their chaotic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth on Monday night felt like a microcosm of Amorim’s reign so far. There was attacking intent and moments of genuine quality, but also defensive fragility, lapses in concentration and an inability to manage key moments. United led three times, looked to have landed the knockout blow late on, and still contrived to let victory slip away.
Barcelona wonderkid Sama Nomoko has been ruled out for 12 months after a devastating injury blow. The 17-year-old winger suffered the setback during a UEFA Youth League match against Eintracht Frankfurt at the Estadi Johan Cruyff last week.
Cole Palmer will launch an aftershave featuring his trademark "cold" celebration as the Chelsea star looks to set up a business empire. Documents lodged with the UK government’s Intellectual Property Office reveal that Palmer is seeking to secure rights across a remarkably broad range of products.
Thierry Henry will take his place among the most revered figures in global sport later this month when he is presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony. The Arsenal legend, now 48, has been confirmed as the latest winner of the prestigious accolade, following in the footsteps of footballing legends Pele, Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir David Beckham.
Manchester United reportedly complained to FIFA after Morocco refused to allow Noussair Mazraoui to play in the club's Premier League game against Bournemouth. The Red Devils believed that the defender should have been eligible under the Africa Cup of Nations release arrangements. FIFA’s regulations state that players selected for AFCON squads must be released seven days before their nation’s opening fixture, with the release period beginning on December 15 - the day of the Bournemouth clash.
Manchester City star Jeremy Doku has been ruled out of the club's Carabao Cup quarter-final tie against Brentford and is set to miss the bulk of the festive programme. Pep Guardiola confirmed that the Belgian winger is still recovering from the leg injury that kept him out of City's win at Crystal Palace over the weekend, while also discussing the future of back-up goalkeeper James Trafford ahead of the January window.
Martin O'Neill has revealed that he would have "happily stayed on" at Celtic if he'd been asked, with new manager Wilfried Nancy facing sack calls after just three games. The Frenchman, only weeks into his tenure, has already found himself under intense scrutiny, with Sunday's Scottish League Cup final defeat to St Mirren prompting an extraordinary backlash from fans and reopening debate about whether continuity might have offered a steadier hand.
Former Paris Saint-Germain No.1 Gianluigi Donnarumma, who now plays for Manchester City, has been named the 2025 Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper, with Lionesses star Hannah Hampton bagging the Women's prize. Donnarumma and Hampton were both part of treble-winning sides last season, while the latter also played a key role in England's successful European Championship defence.