Stiliyan Petrov and his wife Paulina Petrova

The leukaemia-suffering footballer was ready to ditch gruelling chemotherapy sessions because they were making him so ill.

But Paulina was having none of it and badgered him relentlessly into keeping them up.

Stiliyan, 36, now credits her for helping him survive his life-or-death battle with cancer.

“When I was going through parts of my chemo, I wanted to stop,” he recalled. “The pain was too much.

“I was ready to stop and take my chances but Paulina was having none of it.

“She wouldn’t allow it and told me I had too much to live for and I was going to recover fully. She was right.

“She has had to cope with so much in the past few years and she has been the strength that kept us all going.”

The world of football was shocked when Stiliyan, then playing for Aston Villa, was diagnosed with acute leukaemia four years ago.

He hung up his boots in 2013 as he battled to stay alive.

That year he moved to London for intensive treatment and was there for long periods during the following nine months.

Paulina effectively moved in with him after hospital staff provided her with a bed in his small room.

Despite watching in agony as her once super-fit husband lost his hair, weight, and even struggled to get out of bed, she never cried in front of him.

Paulina recalled: “We all had to be strong for Stiliyan.

“We had to help him with his battle against leukaemia and there were some very tough times along the way.

“But there was no chance we were ever going to allow him to give up his fight. I am so proud of him. We all are.”

The Bulgarian admits the difficult times have made him appreciate things he would normally take for granted such as playing with sons Stiliyan Jr and Kristiyan.

Even “just sitting down to have dinner with them and talk about their day” is precious said the star, who added: “It was life or death.

“It was hard to see my family suffering as I was battling for my life.

“Those were the dark days, when you can see what you can lose, what you are going to miss, what you need to fight for.”

Stiliyan said he was also indebted to the world-leading cancer expert, Professor David Linch, who led his treatment.

“Professor Linch is an outstanding medical man,” he said. “He saved my life. But he is also a wonderful person. I’m privileged to know him.”

Now, having been given the all-clear by medical experts, brave Stiliyan is hoping to make a return to top-level football.

In the meantime, he is dedicating much of his time to raising money for a charity, the Petrov Foundation, he set up to fund medical research into cancer and help support families who find themselves in a similar situation to his.

“Now that I have my health back I want to help others as much as I can,” he said.

“I know what cancer can do to families and how the research can help.

“Everyone aims to find that cure for any cancer because I know how badly it can affect families.

“I have seen a lot in life and it is something you want to prevent – especially with kids who might not have a chance to have a future which is heartbreaking.”

Today, Stiliyan will host a charity golf day at The Belfry, where he will be joined by the likes of former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill and Liverpool and Scotland legend Gary McAllister.

His foundation has already raised around £250,000 and helped many good causes in the UK.

The top target is a return to Celtic or Villa

Stiliyan – affectionately nicknamed Stan by fans – announced last week that he was targeting a return to full-time football again for the start of next season.

“My career was taken away from me far too quickly,” said the 36-year-old, who’s been in full-time training with Aston Villa’s under-21s for the past six months.

“I worked hard to become a footballer, I dedicated my life to it, and it was cruel that I wasn’t allowed to hang up my boots when I felt the time was right.

“That annoyed me. It’s a hurdle I still have to get over.

“I have battled for my life and went through something and there were dark places there, but for me to go back and play again would be amazing.

“I’m looking forward to a return to football.

“I believe I will be able to play again at a high level. I’m really excited about it.

“If that means there is a chance to play for Celtic or Aston Villa again, that would be unbelievable.

“But I will take it one day at a time because I will never again take anything for granted.”

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