MADRID – Spain’s football giants Real Madrid have rebranded its logo to remove a Christian cross in an effort to gain more popularity among Muslims around the world, Russia Today TV network reported.

The move aims at “avoiding all forms of misunderstanding and conflict in the regions where the majority of the population is Muslim,” a source at Real Madrid’s administration was quoted as saying by the Spanish newspaper Marca.

The logo of the top-ranked football team has a cross since 1920 when King Alfonso XIII granted his royal patronage to the club.

The Spanish giants say that the cross removal was simply a cost of doing business in a globalized world.

The rebranding follows the construction of a $1 billion sports tourist resort in the United Arab Emirates.

Real Madrid says the resort will be the first theme park on an artificial island under its trademark.

The island will include a 450-room luxury hotel, luxury villas, a sporting harbor, and the world’s first-ever football stadium that is open to the sea.

“This is a decisive and strategic step that will enhance the strength of this institution in the Middle East and Asia, a key region in which the passion for this club has been apparent,” the Spanish club says.

“Real Madrid and the Government of Ras al-Khaimah want to transmit the passion of Real Madrid and what it means throughout the world.”

Earlier, archrival FC Barcelona removed a cross from its logo as part of an agreement with sponsors in Qatar.

Founded in 1902, Real Madrid is the world’s richest football club, generating €438.6 million in 2011.

The Spanish team is also considered the globe’s second most valuable, worth €1.4 billion.

It has attracted the biggest names in football such as Karim Benzema and Mesut Ozil.