Scott McTominay’s fiancée sends heartfelt message as Scotland and Napoli star opens up on upcoming heart surgery

Scott McTominay’s fiancée has posted a touching public message of support after the Scotland and Napoli midfielder revealed he will undergo heart surgery and miss several weeks of action. The 29-year-old has developed a mild, benign arrhythmia and is due to have a corrective procedure in the coming days, with the aim of returning after the international break.

McTominay attended the Gran Gala Del Calcio, Italy’s equivalent of the Professional Footballers’ Association Awards, on Wednesday night and used the occasion to address the situation for the first time in public. Speaking to reporters on the red carpet, he insisted there was no cause for alarm. “I’m fine,” he said. “The procedure was something I’d planned to do with the club for quite a while. We’d already talked about it in pre-season. I’ll be out for a few weeks.”

His partner, Cam Reading, responded on social media with a simple and affectionate post accompanied by two heart emojis. “By your side, always so proud of you,” she wrote. The couple have been together since around 2022 and became engaged not long afterwards. Their relationship has remained largely private even as McTominay’s profile has risen sharply in Italy.

Napoli confirmed the medical details earlier in the week. The club stated that following the onset of a mild benign arrhythmia, McTominay would undergo corrective surgery using cardiac arrhythmia ablation, known as PFA, in the coming days. He is expected to be available again once the international break has passed. Medical experts describe the condition as an irregular heart rhythm that is non-life-threatening and should be resolved by the procedure. According to the British Heart Foundation, the treatment involves the use of heat or cold energy to create tiny scars in the heart that block faulty electrical signals and restore a normal heartbeat.

The timing means McTominay will miss the first four matches under new Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli. The midfielder had featured in Napoli’s recent Serie A fixtures, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2-0 win over Genoa on the opening day of the season before being substituted after 56 minutes in the 2-1 defeat by Como on Sunday.

Since leaving Manchester United for Napoli in 2024, McTominay has enjoyed a remarkable transformation. In 82 appearances he has scored 27 goals and provided ten assists, playing a central role in the club’s Serie A title triumph in the 2024-25 season. Under Antonio Conte he evolved from a reliable squad option at Old Trafford into one of Europe’s most effective attacking midfielders, netting 12 league goals and collecting the division’s MVP award. He finished 18th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings, placing ahead of players including Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland and Michael Olise.

One of the defining moments of that championship-winning campaign came on the final day, when an acrobatic strike put Napoli ahead as they sealed the title ahead of Inter Milan. His consistent ability to deliver in high-stakes matches prompted comparisons with club legend Diego Maradona. The Argentine’s son went as far as likening the Scottish midfielder to Jesus, a measure of the regard in which he is now held in Naples.

Off the pitch McTominay has embraced life in the city with equal enthusiasm. He has immersed himself in Neapolitan culture alongside Cam and has learned to speak Italian. On the day of his medical he asked to visit the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to pay his respects to the Argentine icon. In April 2025 he went viral after enthusiastically praising the quality of local tomatoes. “Oh my goodness, the tomatoes,” he said. “Bellissimo. I never ate them at home, they are just red water. Here, they actually taste like tomatoes. Now I eat them as a snack. I eat all the vegetables, all of the fruits. It is all so fresh. It’s incredible.”

Moments such as these helped him earn the affectionate nickname “McFratm,” with “Fratm” meaning “my brother” in local dialect. His image has appeared on murals, flags and even birthday cakes, and supporters erected a shrine to him in the city centre after the 2025 title success. The combination of on-field impact and genuine cultural engagement has made him one of the most popular foreign players in recent Napoli history.

The news of the upcoming procedure therefore lands at a time when McTominay’s standing both at club and international level is higher than ever. The decision to address the matter publicly at the awards ceremony, rather than allow speculation to build, reflects a measured approach. By confirming that the surgery had been discussed with the club since pre-season and by stressing that he is fine, he sought to reassure supporters and the wider football community.

Cam Reading’s social media message added a personal note to the day’s events. Her short statement of pride and constant support underscored the private backing the midfielder receives away from the pitch. The couple’s relatively low-key relationship has continued even as McTominay’s fame in Italy has grown, with their engagement marking a further step in a partnership that began several years earlier.

For Napoli the absence will be felt in the short term, particularly given McTominay’s importance to the side since his arrival. For Scotland the timing is also significant, removing a key figure from the opening fixtures of a new managerial era. Yet the medical outlook remains positive. The condition is described as mild and benign, the procedure is planned and corrective, and the expected recovery window is measured in weeks rather than months.

McTominay’s journey from Manchester United squad player to Serie A title winner, MVP and Ballon d’Or contender has been one of the more striking career arcs of recent seasons. His willingness to adapt both on and off the pitch in Naples has only strengthened that reputation. As he prepares for the ablation procedure, the public messages from both the player and his fiancée have presented a calm and united front.

The coming weeks will focus on recovery and a carefully managed return to training. If the medical predictions hold, McTominay should be available again once the international break concludes, ready to resume a career that has already delivered more than most expected when he first arrived in Italy. For now, the priority is the successful completion of the planned surgery and the continued support of those closest to him.