Spanish football star Esther González has deleted all photos featuring her wife and daughter from her Instagram account after signing a contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Qadisiyah.
The 33-year-old striker, who won the Women's World Cup with Spain in 2023, faced immediate backlash from supporters and members of the LGBTQIA+ community following the decision.
González is an openly lesbian athlete who shares a child with her partner. Her choice to erase all family photographs from her public profile was widely interpreted as a concession to Saudi Arabia's strict anti-LGBTQIA+ laws.
Backlash from supporters over social media cleanup
Fans reacted with anger to the removal of the images, with several supporters describing the action as an act of hypocrisy. Critics accused the player of compromising her personal values in exchange for lucrative Saudi petrodollars.
Homosexuality is strictly illegal in Saudi Arabia, which is among 64 United Nations member states that outlaw same-sex relations. Deleting the posts is seen as a deliberate step to conceal her private life, secure her new deal, and prevent legal restrictions or official penalties while living in the country.
Al Qadisiyah plays in Saudi Arabia's top women's division. The club was established in 2019 as part of wider efforts by the Gulf nation to expand its sports sector and build up domestic women's football.
Sudden departure from American club Gotham FC
The move to Saudi Arabia comes weeks after González unexpectedly terminated her contract with American side Gotham FC in mid-July. The team is based in Harrison, New Jersey, and competes in the primary women's soccer league in the United States.
González had spent three seasons with Gotham FC, establishing herself as a key player before deciding to end her stay prematurely. At the time of her departure, the forward cited personal reasons for breaking her deal.
The sudden exit surprised many commentators in women's football, though her subsequent agreement with Al Qadisiyah appears to reveal the underlying motivation for leaving the North American club.
Sports investments and anti-LGBTQIA laws
Saudi Arabia has faced ongoing international scrutiny over its sports investments, with human rights organizations pointing to the state's legal stance on LGBTQIA+ rights and individual freedoms.
Despite the recruitment of prominent international figures to bolster the domestic league, Saudi Arabian law continues to criminalize same-sex partnerships and non-traditional family structures.
Before her stint in North America, González built a prominent career in Spain, representing major domestic clubs including Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid alongside her international role with the national team.
Neither González nor Al Qadisiyah has released an official statement regarding the online criticism or the decision to modify her social media accounts.
The forward is expected to complete her transition to Al Qadisiyah as the club prepares for the upcoming domestic campaign in Saudi Arabia.
