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The agent of Aston Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov has distanced his client from reports that surfaced in Bulgaria, claiming the Aston Villa skipper will retire from football.
The 32-year-old international was at Villa Park to watch his side take on Chelsea and will start treatment for the illness in a London hospital on Monday.
But the midfielder, who has been at Villa for six years, revealed he is taking inspiration from Fabrice Muamba.
Brave: Stiliyan Petrov watches as Aston Villa take on Chelsea
Petrov released a statement shortly after arriving at the ground, thanking the football community for their support.
Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest during a FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham a fortnight ago, but has defied expectation in his recovery at the London Chest Hospital.
Petrov revealed a picture of Muamba sitting up in bed released had inspired him, along with numerous well-wishes, to get back to health.
'I would like to thank all of the people who have left messages of support. The response has been overwhelming and I appreciate it very much,' Petrov said.
'This is a difficult time for my family and myself and I ask people to respect my privacy.
Support: Aston Villa fans made their feelings clear at their game against Chelsea
Petrov, who had been capped 105 times by Bulgaria, said he had felt a strange headache during the first half of Villa's 3-0 defeat by Arsenal last Saturday and the team doctor had even suggested a half-time substitution.
'I lost my energy early in the second half and it was very unusual for me,' he said.
'But this is life, you see we drank a coffee in London a week ago and now we're talking about things like this.
'I'll fight, it's clear and I also would like to thank everyone for the support from all around the world.'
United: Chelsea players wore t-shirts in support of Petrov.
'With the help and love of my family, my team-mates, all of my friends in football, Aston Villa and all of the fans, I am sure I will beat this illness and I am determined to do this.
'I saw the picture released yesterday by Fabrice Muamba, my fellow player, and it has inspired me as has all of the support in the past 24 hours.
'For me, football will have to take a back seat for a while, but I'm here to support my team-mates today and I will continue to support them as I know they will support me. Thank you to everyone.'
An avalanche of support poured in from all parts of the world.
'Let's all pray and believe that Stiliyan Petrov, one of the best football players Bulgaria have ever produced, one of my best and closest friends, will win this battle,' Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov said on his Facebook account.
'He deserves all your support. Believe,' his compatriot added.
'But of course, wishes from Bulgaria encourage me most,' said former CSKA Sofia and Celtic midfielder Petrov. 'They give me strength to believe that one day I will recover.'
In our thoughts: Petrov's Aston Villa's team-mates showed their support before their game with Chelsea
Both sets of players wore shirts to show their support in the warm-up. Villa's players wore shirts reading 'Support Stan' while the message on the Chelsea shirts read, 'Our thoughts are with you'.
Villa fans stood and applauded during the 19th minute of the match, in reference to the fact Petrov wears the number 19 shirt.
The Villa skipper had made a trip to London yesterday after his diagnosis was revealed but made the return journey late last evening to attend today's fixture in an executive box.
The illness was diagnosed after Petrov had complained of suffering with a fever following last week's 3-0 defeat at Arsenal.
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