Fan backlash as gay World Cup star joins Saudi club
August 27, 2026 10:52
Spain forward Esther González ended her contract with NWSL side Gotham FC in July after the club said she would take a temporary break to "attend to personal matters in Spain". Her deal with Gotham had been due to run until 2027.
Within days of that announcement, Saudi Women's Premier League club Al Qadsiah confirmed they had signed González. The move prompted criticism online from some Gotham supporters and members of the LGBTQ+ community, with social media users questioning her reasons for leaving and expressing concern for her safety in Saudi Arabia.
KEY CONTEXT
- Gotham described González's departure as a mutual termination and she posted on Instagram that the decision was for private reasons and that the New York club remained important to her.
- The BBC notes González is described in reports as a 2023 World Cup winner and was part of Spain’s squad that finished runners-up to England at Euro 2025.
- Same-sex relationships and sexual activity are illegal in Saudi Arabia — a fact cited in coverage of the reaction to the signing.
- Spanish outlet El Mundo reported that González has removed photos of her wife and their child from her social media since the Al Qadsiah announcement.
- Comparisons have been drawn with the reaction to Jordan Henderson’s 2023 move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq; openly gay player Jake Daniels publicly criticised that transfer and Henderson left Al-Ettifaq after six months.
- On the pitch, González won two NWSL titles, an NWSL Challenge Cup and the Concacaf W Champions Cup across three seasons in the United States. Al Qadsiah finished fourth in the Saudi Women’s Premier League in 2025–26.
WHY IT MATTERS
The transfer has reignited debate over player moves to countries with legal and social environments that differ sharply from those in which many players live openly. For González, immediate significance includes fans’ dissatisfaction with how Gotham’s exit was presented and concerns that the club lost the opportunity to secure a transfer fee. For the wider game, the episode underscores how off-field contexts can prompt strong reactions and pose reputational and welfare questions for players and clubs.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether González, Gotham FC or Al Qadsiah issue further clarifications about the contract termination, the timing of the signing, and any arrangements relating to her welfare.
- Verification or comment regarding El Mundo’s report about González removing family photos from her social accounts.
- Any formal responses from player groups, LGBTQ+ organisations or fan communities addressing safety, support measures or the broader implications of transfers to leagues in Saudi Arabia.
KEY FACTS
- González left Gotham FC by mutual agreement in July; her Gotham contract had been due to run until 2027.
- She was announced as a signing by Al Qadsiah shortly after leaving Gotham.
- Same-sex relationships are illegal in Saudi Arabia.
- El Mundo reported González deleted photos of her wife and their child from social media after the move.
- González won multiple trophies in the NWSL and was part of Spain’s recent international squads noted in coverage.