Esther González is at the centre of a growing storm after completing a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Qadsiah, with criticism coming from multiple directions following the 33-year-old's surprise switch from the United States.

The Spain forward had appeared to step away from football entirely when she agreed a mutual termination of her contract with NWSL champions Gotham FC last month. The New York club said at the time that González was leaving to attend to personal matters in Spain, while the player herself posted on Instagram that the decision was made for strictly personal reasons — adding that Gotham would always hold a special place in her heart. Her contract had been due to run until 2027.

When Al Qadsiah announced her signing on Sunday, the noises out of the fanbase were sharp. Gotham supporters expressed frustration at the framing of her departure and the fact the club received no transfer fee, having allowed her to leave under the impression she was stepping back from the game. The LGBTQ+ community has also voiced concern, given that same-sex relationships and sexual activity remain illegal in Saudi Arabia.

Social Media Scrutiny

González is openly gay and married, with the couple welcoming their first child in January. According to Spanish outlet El Mundo, she has since removed all photographs featuring her wife and child from her social media accounts following the Al Qadsiah announcement. Fans online have questioned her motivations and raised concerns about her safety in a country where her lifestyle could expose her to serious legal jeopardy.

None of this makes for comfortable reading, and the case draws immediate comparisons with Jordan Henderson's move to Al-Ettifaq in 2023. The former Liverpool captain had been a prominent public ally to the LGBTQ+ community — wearing rainbow laces, donning a One Love armband, and writing messages of solidarity in matchday programmes — before joining the Saudi Pro League. Blackpool forward Jake Daniels, who had received personal support from Henderson when he came out as gay, described the transfer as a slap in the face at the time. Henderson departed Al-Ettifaq after just six months.

A Glittering Career in the United States

Whatever the reaction to this transfer, González's record in women's football speaks for itself. The forward won two NWSL titles, an NWSL Challenge Cup, and the Concacaf W Champions Cup across three seasons after leaving Real Madrid for the United States. She was also part of the Spain squad that reached the final of Euro 2025, finishing as runners-up to England, adding to her 2023 World Cup winner's medal.

Al Qadsiah finished fourth in the Saudi Women's Premier League in 2025-26, so González arrives as a marquee name at a club looking to close the gap on the division's frontrunners.

The broader debate her move has triggered is unlikely to die down quickly. The market for top women's players in Saudi Arabia is growing, and with it comes renewed scrutiny of the Kingdom's human rights record — particularly regarding LGBTQ+ rights. For González, the personal dimensions of this story make it more charged than most. BBC Sport has approached Gotham FC for comment, and no statement had been issued at the time of writing.

Frequently asked

Why are people criticising Esther González's move to Saudi Arabia?
González is openly gay and married, and same-sex relationships are illegal in Saudi Arabia. Fans and LGBTQ+ groups have raised concerns about her safety and questioned why she cited personal reasons for leaving Gotham FC before joining Al Qadsiah, while Gotham supporters are also disappointed the club received no transfer fee.
Which club has Esther González signed for in Saudi Arabia?
González has joined Al Qadsiah, who compete in the Saudi Women's Premier League and finished fourth in the 2025-26 season.
Has a footballer faced this criticism for moving to Saudi Arabia before?
Yes — England midfielder Jordan Henderson attracted widespread backlash when he joined Al-Ettifaq in 2023, given his previous public support for LGBTQ+ causes. Openly gay player Jake Daniels called the move a 'slap in the face'. Henderson left the club after six months.