The incredible journey of NWSL star Esther González

Big money for Esther González

Esther González has been a driving force behind Gotham FC’s recent triumphs, including their 2023 NWSL championship win. Her star power for the New Jersey side has earned her a contract extension, pushing her into the ranks of the league’s highest-paid players.

Key piece in the Gotham FC scheme

The Granada-born forward made the move to the NWSL in summer 2023 after choosing not to renew her contract with Real Madrid, where she had a limited role. Since joining Gotham FC, she’s become a vital piece in Spanish coach Juan Carlos Amorós’s system, who’s tapped into her full potential to help the team grow and start racking up titles.

Staying in Jersey

This new trophy adds to Gotham FC’s growing collection and comes just as Esther González, 32, has announced her contract renewal. She’ll stay with the New Jersey franchise for two more seasons, extending her run until 2027, ready to keep shining and scoring goals in the U.S. for years to come.

One of MLS's highest paid

Born in Huéscar (Granada) on December 8, 1992, González has signed a deal with Gotham FC worth around one million dollars – roughly $500,000 per season. This contract places her among the highest-paid players in the NWSL and makes her the highest-earning Spanish player in the league’s history.

Top scorer of the current NWSL season

Her numbers made Gotham FC’s decision to renew her contract a no-brainer. Before signing the two-year extension, Esther González was the league’s top scorer, as ESPN reported.

Started out with Levante UD

González’s professional journey kicked off at CD Algaidas, a club based in Málaga. At 17, she made her final youth move to Levante UD in 2009 and debuted that September in the women’s derby against Valencia.

Reliable scorer

González spent two years with Levante before moving to Atlético Málaga for the 2011-2012 season, where she netted 12 goals. The following year, she joined Sporting de Huelva and scored 15 goals. Her impressive form earned her a spot in Fútbol Draft’s Golden XI both seasons.

Found incredible form at Atlético de Madrid.

Her standout performances paved the way for a move to Atlético Madrid in July 2013, where she really came into her own. Over six seasons with the red and white, she played 183 games, scored 86 goals, and added 16 assists.

Stint at Real Madrid

That’s when a newly formed Real Madrid, eager to grow its women's team, decided to invest in her. González had a solid season, scoring 17 goals and providing 3 assists, but limited opportunities pushed her to switch clubs – and eventually make the move to the United States.

Impressed at the World Cup

Shortly after helping Spain lift the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Juan Carlos Amorós didn’t hesitate – he pushed Gotham FC to sign her. With her contract at Real Madrid up, the move was seamless. Since then, she’s become an indispensable part of the team.

Moneyball-style scouting

Esther’s move to Gotham FC has a cool backstory. As Granada Hoy reports, it all came down to Big Data — a ‘Moneyball’-style stats system masterminded by Amorós and his assistant Jesús Botello.

Looking for a player to do a role

“I told my teammates to get me chances inside the ‘T Zone’ — that tight space between the six-yard box and the penalty spot. Who was the player who could finish there? We were getting plenty of shots, around 20 per game, but scoring was scarce. Esther González was one of the first names on that list,” Botello told Granada Hoy.

More than just stats

But the final decision wasn’t based on data alone – it came down to what she demonstrated on the pitch. “She had so much quality and knew how to distribute the ball so well that we chose to play her as a ‘false nine.’ (…) She can do whatever she wants out there, and what we wanted was for her to have more of the ball,” Botello added.