Esther Gonzalez deletes photos with her wife and child after Al-Qadsiah move | OneFootball

World champion in 2023 with Spain, Esther Gonzalez has signed for Saudi First Division side Al-Qadsiah and has deleted all Instagram photos showing her with her wife and child.

El Mundo reports that the deletions have sparked anger in Spain, particularly among LGBTQ+ groups, who characterise it as capitulation to local restrictions for a lucrative contract. The report adds that her Gotham wage, about €480,000 a year, is expected to double in a league launched five years ago.

On 3 August she announced the termination of her Gotham contract, describing it as the hardest decision of her career taken for strictly personal reasons, after three years with the New Jersey franchise.

Around 20 days later she appeared in an Al-Qadsiah unveiling video. The 33-year-old striker has 57 caps and 37 goals for Spain and previously featured for Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid.

Gonzalez had spoken openly about her sexuality and became a mother in January. Same-sex relations are criminalised in Saudi Arabia. Neither she nor her new club has said she intends to hide her sexuality to comply with local laws.

Source: L'Équipe

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