Suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter claims he was "close to dying" when he was hospitalised for six days earlier this month.
Sepp Blatter
Blatter had reportedly suffered a "small emotional breakdown", but has now spoken up about the severity of his condition
"I was between the angels who were singing and the devil who was lighting the fire - but it was the angels who sang," he told Swiss broadcaster RTS.
"The pressure was enormous. At some stage the body just says 'no - enough is enough. But if you are strong psychologically, you can resist."
Blatter, 79, is currently under investigation by Swiss prosecutors for criminal mismanagement and misappropriation.
The FIFA president was suspended in October and is currently serving a 90-day ban, while world football's governing body investigates claims of corruption.
Blatter is accused of making a "disloyal payment" of £1.3million to Michel Platini in 2011 for work allegedly carried out more than nine years earlier.
Despite also serving a 90-day suspension, Platini hopes to succeed Blatter is FIFA president when the election is held in February.
Blatter described UEFA chief Platini as "an honest man", and said that if Platini "comes back, he will be elected."