Spain forward Esther Gonzalez has faced significant backlash following her decision to sign with Saudi Women's Premier League club Al Qadsiah. The move has drawn criticism from fans of her former club, Gotham FC, and from within the LGBTQ+ community due to Saudi Arabia's laws criminalizing same-sex relationships.
Gonzalez, a 2023 World Cup winner, had previously terminated her contract with the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) champions Gotham FC in July, citing a need to "attend to personal matters in Spain." Her contract with the U.S. club was set to run until 2027.
Al Qadsiah announced the signing on Sunday, prompting questions from fans on social media regarding her motivations and safety. Gotham supporters expressed disappointment over the club's handling of her departure, noting the absence of a transfer fee. Reports indicate that Gonzalez has removed photos of herself with her wife and child from her social media accounts since joining the Saudi club.
This situation echoes the criticism faced by English midfielder Jordan Henderson, who moved to the Saudi Pro League's Al-Ettifaq in 2023. Henderson, who had previously supported LGBTQ+ causes, faced condemnation from openly gay footballer Jake Daniels, who had received support from Henderson. Henderson's tenure in Saudi Arabia lasted only six months.
Gonzalez spent three seasons with Gotham FC, securing two NWSL titles, an NWSL Challenge Cup, and the Concacaf W Champions Cup. Al Qadsiah concluded the 2025-26 Saudi Women's Premier League season in fourth place. Gotham FC declined to comment when reached by BBC Sport.