The 31-year-old suffered foot and hamstring problems last season in a campaign which saw him make just 11 Premier League appearances under manager Pep Guardiola.
The England international missed 164 days of the year with injury, and he has now revealed to BBC Radio 5 Live that he seriously thought about hanging up his boots for good.
“Last season was tough for me, to the point where I thought about stopping. I didn’t want to do it. I had had enough of being so professional and trying to do everything right in my power, to then keep breaking down and not having the answers. It was a very difficult place to be in.
“There comes a point where you don’t know why it happens, and it’s even harder when you put in so much effort, or you are ultra professional, to be able to play and be available.
Stones has made five starts for City this season under Guardiola, who is slowly integrating him back into his title chasing side who are 5th in the table so far.
The six-time Premier League winner admitted that he wasn’t thinking straight during his injury, and now he is ready to fight for his space in the side, despite competition from younger talents.
“When that time comes and something happens, it would be easier to say, ‘Well I didn’t do X, Y and Z, that’s why’, but when you do it, it’s then mentally challenging. Hopefully I don’t go back to that place.
“My emotions were high. I wasn’t thinking straight. I don’t think deep down I would have ever done it. I said years ago when City wanted me to have a new challenge, I said, ‘I am going to fight’. That’s all I have known since I was a kid – why should I stop that now?
“So yes, there is that fight in me and that winning mentality that doesn’t want to stop.”