Gotham FC announced Monday that the club and star forward Esther González have mutually agreed to terminate her contract. González is temporarily stepping away from competitive soccer to return home to Spain to address personal matters.
The departure comes just days after the 33-year-old Spaniard was excused from team activities late last week, missing Gotham’s 2-2 draw against the Portland Thorns on Friday night.
González leaves the Bats as the most decorated striker in club history. Over three seasons, she established herself as Gotham FC’s all-time leading goalscorer, finding the net 33 times across all NWSL competitions. Her tenure was defined by clutch performances, silverware and consistent productivity, including two NWSL Championship titles, a Concacaf W Champions Cup and an NWSL Challenge Cup trophy.
“We wish Esther and her family all the best as they return home to Spain,” said Yael Averbuch West, Gotham FC President of Soccer Operations. “Esther has been a model professional on and off the field, helping us win four major trophies and serving as a respected leader in our team. We thank her for three great years full of world-class moments of brilliance. We will always support Esther wherever her path leads.”
González originally arrived in Harrison in the late summer of 2023 fresh off winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup with Spain. She quickly etched her name into Gotham lore by netting the championship-winning header in the 2023 NWSL Final.
Her impact only grew over the following two campaigns. She led Gotham in scoring in back-to-back seasons, racking up 22 regular-season goals and five assists across those two years. Her 13-goal campaign in 2025 earned her a spot as an NWSL MVP finalist while placing second in the Golden Boot race.
In her final stretch with the club, González was as lethal as ever, pouring in four goals across her final three appearances.
Reflecting on her time in New York/ New Jersey, González expressed deep gratitude for the organization, the supporters, and her journey in North America.
“Gotham FC will always hold a very special place in my heart,” González said. “From the moment I arrived, I felt something unique about this club — the people, the environment, the way everyone works together every single day. I am grateful for each and every moment shared with my teammates, the coaches, and every single member of this club.”
“This journey has surpassed every expectation I had when I first came to Gotham,” she added. “Together we achieved everything there is to achieve, and I will forever be proud to say that with this club, I won it all. But beyond the trophies, Gotham is the place where I grew in so many ways — as a player, as a professional, and, most importantly, as a person. And it is here, in New Jersey, where my family grew, too.”
While her next chapter begins back home in Spain, “La Reina” leaves behind a legacy of goals, trophies and unforgettable moments that will forever be woven into Gotham FC history.
