Spain forward Esther Gonzalez has attracted backlash after signing for Saudi Women’s Premier League side Al Qadsiah.
The 33-year-old agreed a mutual contract termination with National Women’s Soccer League champions Gotham FC in July to temporarily step away from the sport to “attend to personal matters in Spain”, according to the club’s statement.
Gonzalez, whose contract was due to expire in 2027, said on Instagram the decision was “due to strictly personal reasons”, adding New York-based Gotham will “always hold a special place in my heart”.
However, on Sunday, Al Qadsiah announced the signing of the 2023 World Cup winner, sparking criticism from both Gotham fans over the nature of her departure, and from within the LGBTQ+ community.
Same-sex relationships and sexual activity are illegal in Saudi Arabia.
Fans on social media questioned her motivations and expressed concerns for her safety while Gotham supporters voiced their disappointment over the messaging around her exit and the club missing out on a transfer fee.
According to Spanish outlet El Mundo,, external Gonzalez has deleted all photos of herself with her wife and their first child, born in January, from her social media accounts since signing for Al Qadsiah.
Gonzalez is not the first footballer to encounter negative reactions for moving to Saudi Arabia, with England midfielder Jordan Henderson attracting criticism following his transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq in 2023.
The move was described as a “slap in the face” by openly gay footballer Jake Daniels, who had received a message of support from Henderson when he came out.
The former Liverpool captain, who had previously shown his support for the LGBTQ+ community by wearing rainbow laces, a One Love armband, and writing messages of solidarity in a matchday programme, left Al-Ettifaq after six months.
Gonzalez won two NWSL titles, an NWSL Challenge Cup, and the Concacaf W Champions Cup in three seasons after moving to the United States from Real Madrid.
Al Qadsiah finished fourth in the Saudi Women’s Premier League in 2025-26.