Gay footballer deletes pictures of partner and child after controversial Saudi Arabia switch

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FT Desk

Openly gay footballer Esther Gonzalez has courted controversy after a transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al Qadsiah.

The Spaniard's breakthrough came at Atle, where she helped the club win three league titles and a Copa de la Reina. In 2021, she joined Real Madrid and became the club’s all-time leading scorer, scoring 39 goals in 77 appearances.

In 2023, Gonzalez moved to the United States to play for Gotham FC shortly after helping Spain win the Women’s World Cup. She quickly became an important player, scoring the winning goal in Gotham’s 2023 NWSL Championship victory and went on to help Gotham win another NWSL title and the Concacaf W Champions Cup, while becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer with 33 goals.

The 33-year-old also continued to play an important role for Spain, including finishing as the top scorer at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025. In July 2026, she and Gotham mutually ended her contract as she stepped away from football for personal reasons in Spain.

However, just a month later, she made the switch to Saudi Arabia, where same-sex relationships and sexual activity are illegal.

Spanish outlet El Mundo reports that Gonzalez has deleted all photos of herself with her wife and their first child from her social media accounts since signing for Al Qadsiah.

The deal echoes that of Jordan Henderson attracting criticism following his transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq in 2023.

Openly gay player Jake Daniels previously said Henderson contacted him after he came out.

"He was backing me and said: 'We're proud of what you've done.'

"Seeing him move to Saudi, it kind of like, slaps me in my face really.

"But I guess the money pays well, and money must mean more to people."

Henderson subsequently left the Saudi Pro League for Ajax and eventually moved back home with Brentford.

In the summer of 2026, he made a surprise switch to Chelsea.