Following Ritu Porna’s match-winning brace that pushed Bangladesh to the brink of AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualification, technical advisor Paul Butler didn’t mince words.
💬 “Ritu should be playing somewhere better — in a bigger league, at a higher level. Her talent is too good to be confined to the local scene,” Butler said during the post-match press conference.
The praise came after Ritu’s electric performance led Bangladesh to a dramatic 2–1 win over Myanmar. Her pace, composure, and finishing drew comparisons to elite forwards across Asia, and Butler believes she’s ready for the next step.
“She has the mentality, the work ethic, and the flair. Clubs abroad should be watching,” he added.
This isn’t the first time Butler has advocated for exporting Bangladeshi talent, but his comments today felt more like a call to action — for agents, clubs, and federations alike.
🌍 Is Europe Next?
With women’s football gaining momentum globally, Ritu’s performance on the international stage may just open the doors to professional leagues in Japan, Australia, or even Europe.
For now, she remains laser-focused on Bangladesh’s final qualifier against Lebanon — but eyes around the continent are beginning to take notice.
