The Spanish newspaper ABC apologized to Barcelona star Ansu Fati after the match report described his tremendous speed as a "black street vendor fleeing the police."
The 17-year-old put on a superb display in Barcelona's 5-1 victory over Hungary's Francesvaros in Tuesday's Champions League, and scored a goal.
But after the victory came the newspaper's controversial description of the Spanish national team, born in Guinea-Bissau.
The author of the report, Salvador Sostres, apologized on the newspaper's website Thursday morning, at a time when local reports said that Barcelona intends to file a lawsuit.
"In my attempt to focus on the beauty of Ansu's movement and his high level as a young player, some expressions were described as racist," the writer said.
He added, "This cannot be my purpose or my views that always praise the player, as it has always been in my reports for matches since his first appearance. I deeply apologize for the misunderstanding and to everyone who was upset."
Fati received support from many on social media, and Barcelona striker Antoine Griezmann said, "Ansu is an exceptional boy who deserves respect like everyone else. Neither racism nor bad manners."
Former England and Barcelona striker Gary Lineker reprinted Griezmann's message, saying that this report seemed to "set us back 50 years."