Esther González's Saudi Arabia Move Raises Questions After She Deleted Family Photos

Spanish footballer Esther González has joined Saudi Women's Premier League side Al-Qadsiah weeks after leaving National Women's Soccer League champions Gotham FC, following reports that photographs of her wife and child were removed from her social media accounts.

The 33-year-old forward announced the move on 23 August, less than a month after Gotham agreed to terminate her contract early. González had said she was returning to Spain for 'strictly personal reasons', while Gotham said she was stepping away to attend to personal matters.

The transfer has prompted criticism from some Gotham supporters and members of the LGBT community because same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Saudi Arabia. Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported that photographs featuring González's wife, fellow footballer Estefanía Cruz, and their child had been removed. González has not publicly explained the reported changes or linked them to her move.

Family Photographs Removed

González and Cruz welcomed their first child in January and had previously shared photographs of their family, including images taken in hospital after the birth.

Photographs featuring Cruz and the child were later reportedly removed from González's Instagram account, although some older images of the couple remain within larger carousels.

The reason for the reported removals has not been established. Their timing has attracted attention following González's move to Saudi Arabia, where same-sex relationships remain prohibited.

The Human Dignity Trust states that Saudi Arabia criminalises same-sex sexual activity involving both men and women. It also says LGBT people have faced arrest and discrimination under the country's legal system.

Questions Over Gotham Departure

González's Saudi move has also led some supporters to question the circumstances surrounding her departure from Gotham.

The club agreed in July to release her from the remainder of a contract that was due to run until 2027. At the time, Gotham said González needed to return to Spain to attend to personal matters, while the player described the decision as being for 'strictly personal reasons'.

Gotham has since declined to comment further on her departure. González and her representatives have also not publicly addressed the criticism surrounding her transfer or the reports about her social media accounts.

The reaction echoes criticism faced by former England midfielder Jordan Henderson after he joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq in 2023. Henderson had previously expressed support for LGBT inclusion in football and left the club after six months.

High-Profile Signing For Al-Qadsiah

González joins Al-Qadsiah with an established record in international and club football. She was part of Spain's 2023 Women's World Cup-winning squad and finished as the leading scorer at the 2025 European Championship with four goals, earning the Golden Boot.

She also won two NWSL titles during her three seasons in the United States and was a finalist for the league's 2025 Most Valuable Player award, according to Them. Al-Qadsiah finished fourth in the Saudi Women's Premier League in the 2025-26 season.

Her arrival gives the Saudi women's league another established international player as the country continues to invest in its domestic women's football competition.

The reasons for González's transfer and the reported removal of her family photographs have not been publicly explained.