Spanish soccer club Barcelona denied in a Tuesday statement recent press reports that star Brazilian striker Ronaldinho could be suffering mononucleosis, keeping him away from recent training sessions.

The star has been working on a separate training plan to boost his strength after a tonsillitis attack, which required antibiotics, the statement said.

The player is "one of the players that has accumulated the most games this season," said the statement. After the illness he chose to apply the individual program: double sessions of gym and field workouts at Camp Nou.

Barcelona will continue this program until he is in the best possible condition, the statement said, adding that he will miss the Copa Del Rey match against Getafe and but should be available for a weekend match against Villareal.

(Xinhua News Agency April 18, 2007)