A former Madrid player erases photos with her wife after signing for Saudi Arabia
The Spanish forward and world champion has signed for Al-Qadissiyyah, a club in a country where the LGBTIQ+ community is persecuted
Controversy on social media over the move of a Spanish footballer after signing for Al-Qadissiyya, a club in Saudi Arabia. Esther González, former forward for Madrid and world champion with Spain, has accepted a very attractive financial offer and then deleted photos she had with her wife and son from her public profiles, just as her signing has been made official. The Saudi country is known for being against the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community and for persecuting same-sex relationships.
The controversy and criticism have not stopped growing, after the footballer deleted any trace on social media of her partner, a woman, and the child they share. Considering that manifestations of homosexual relationships can be punished in Saudi Arabia, there are users who interpret González's gesture as a matter of security to avoid violating the country's homophobic rules.
The athlete has opted for silence and has not explained the reasons for deleting these images, although he has published a promotional video of his signing for Al-Qadissiyya, with whom he now has a contract until 2027. González, who is 33 years old, left Gotham FC this summer by mutual agreement with the club. Previously, he had played for Levante, Atlético de Madrid, and Real Madrid, and was a world champion with Spain in 2023.