Esther González is at the centre of a growing storm after the Spain forward completed a move to Saudi Women's Premier League outfit Al Qadsiah, drawing sharp criticism from Gotham FC supporters and the LGBTQ+ community alike.

The 33-year-old had only recently departed NWSL champions Gotham FC, with the New York club announcing in July that both parties had agreed a mutual contract termination so that González could step away temporarily to "attend to personal matters in Spain". Her deal had been due to run until 2027. On Instagram, the 2023 World Cup winner described the decision as being made for "strictly personal reasons", adding that Gotham would "always hold a special place in my heart".

Al Qadsiah's announcement of her signing on Sunday swiftly unravelled that narrative. Gotham supporters voiced their frustration over the way her departure was framed, with the club also missing out on a transfer fee as a result of the agreed termination rather than a conventional sale. The reaction from within the LGBTQ+ community has been sharper still.

Safety Concerns and Social Media Scrutiny

Same-sex relationships and sexual activity are illegal in Saudi Arabia. González is openly gay, and fans have taken to social media to question her motivations and raise concerns for her wellbeing. According to Spanish outlet El Mundo, she has deleted all photographs featuring her wife and the couple's first child — born in January — from her social media accounts since the move was confirmed.

The noises out of the online football community have been unambiguous: many feel González, as a publicly gay woman, has placed herself in a difficult personal position by choosing to work in a country with laws that directly criminalise her identity.

Henderson Comparisons Inevitable

González is not the first prominent footballer to attract this kind of scrutiny over a Saudi move. England midfielder Jordan Henderson was met with a fierce backlash when he joined Al-Ettifaq in 2023, with the transfer described as a "slap in the face" by openly gay footballer Jake Daniels, who had previously received a public message of support from Henderson. The former Liverpool captain — who had worn rainbow laces, a One Love armband, and written solidarity messages in matchday programmes — left Al-Ettifaq after just six months.

Whether González's situation draws a direct parallel remains to be seen, but the optics carry similar weight. The market for women's football in Saudi Arabia is still developing — Al Qadsiah finished fourth in the Saudi Women's Premier League in 2025-26 — and critics argue the league's growth should not come at the cost of the values many players have championed publicly.

A Decorated Career Before the Controversy

It would be wrong to let the controversy entirely overshadow what González has achieved. In three seasons with Gotham she won two NWSL titles, an NWSL Challenge Cup, and the Concacaf W Champions Cup after arriving from Real Madrid. She was also part of the Spain squad who reached the Euro 2025 final, finishing runners-up to England.

BBC Sport has contacted Gotham FC for comment. González herself has not addressed the backlash publicly since completing the move.

The debate around footballers — particularly those who have been vocal allies or members of the LGBTQ+ community — choosing to play in Saudi Arabia shows no sign of quietening. For González, the conversation is now unavoidable.

Frequently asked

Is being gay illegal in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Same-sex relationships and sexual activity are illegal in Saudi Arabia, which is why Esther González's decision to play there has attracted particular concern given that she is openly gay.
Why did Esther González leave Gotham FC?
González and Gotham FC agreed a mutual contract termination in July, with the club stating she was stepping away to attend to personal matters in Spain. Her contract had been due to run until 2027, and the club did not receive a transfer fee as a result of the termination.
Which other footballers have faced backlash for moving to Saudi Arabia?
England midfielder Jordan Henderson attracted significant criticism when he joined Al-Ettifaq in 2023. Openly gay footballer Jake Daniels called the move a "slap in the face", given Henderson's previous public support for the LGBTQ+ community. Henderson left the club after six months.