Stiliyan Petrov hailed as ‘Superdaddy’ by wife Paulina after making his Aston Villa return
Midfielder has won his biggest battle by beating leukaemia - now the popular Bulgarian wants to win a new contract
STILIYAN PETROV has been hailed ‘Superdaddy’ by wife Paulina after making an incredible return to the Aston Villa side.
And she described him as a true role model.
Petrov played in a pre-season friendly against GAK in Austria at the weekend after battling against Leukaemia.
The Bulgarian is hoping to impress boss Roberto di Matteo enough to win a new Villa contract.
But Petrov, 37, says he can find another club this season even there is not place for him at Villa Park.
Petrov, affectionately nicknamed Stan by Villa fans, was told he would never play again after being diagnosed with the condition in 2012.
But he says he made a promise to his family that he would wear a Villa shirt again.
Missus Paulina said on Instagram: "He told me: 'I promise you will see me playing for Aston Villa again one day’. Daddy never breaks his promises, always telling the boys: 'Never give up you can achieve anything if you work hard!’
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"What better example than showing it yourself. A role model for your kids 'superdaddy'.”
Petrov said: “Before I started my treatment I didn’t know how long it would take to recover.
“I was hoping, sort of convinced myself, it would take a few months and then I’d be back playing soon after.
“It was the same with my doctor, Professor David Linch, when I mentioned it to him.
“After about five months I really confronted him and demanded an answer. He told me straight that I should come to terms with having to retire.
“I had been in football all my life and after all the things I achieved in my career, it was hard to accept.”