Scott McTominay’s fiancée has shared an emotional message of support for the Napoli and Scotland midfielder after it was announced that he is set to undergo heart surgery and could be sidelined for several weeks.

The 29-year-old footballer has been diagnosed with a mild and benign form of cardiac arrhythmia, a condition that causes the heart to beat irregularly. Although the issue requires medical treatment, doctors have indicated that it is not considered life-threatening. McTominay is expected to undergo a corrective procedure shortly, with the hope that he will be able to return to competitive football following the next international break.

Despite the news surrounding his health, McTominay appeared in good spirits when he attended the Gran Gala Del Calcio on Wednesday evening. The prestigious ceremony is one of the biggest individual football awards events in Italy, broadly comparable to the Professional Footballers’ Association Awards in England.

While McTominay walked the red carpet at the event, his fiancée, Cam Reading, took to social media to show her support. Alongside a picture of the midfielder, she posted a short but heartfelt message accompanied by two heart emojis.

“By your side, always so proud of you,” Reading wrote.

The couple have reportedly been in a relationship since around 2022 and became engaged not long afterwards. Reading has regularly supported McTominay throughout his football career, including during his move from England to Italy and his increasingly successful spell with Napoli.

McTominay himself addressed the situation at the awards ceremony, reassuring reporters that there was no major cause for concern. Speaking about his upcoming operation, the Scotland international said that he was feeling well and that the procedure had been discussed with Napoli for some time.

“I’m fine,” McTominay 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.”

Napoli had confirmed the midfielder’s medical situation earlier in the week. The Italian club explained that McTominay had developed a mild, benign arrhythmia and would undergo a cardiac ablation procedure known as pulsed field ablation, or PFA, to correct the problem.

The club added that the Scottish midfielder should be available again after the international break.

According to information from the British Heart Foundation, cardiac ablation involves using energy to create very small areas of scar tissue inside the heart. These scars can prevent abnormal electrical signals from travelling through the heart and help restore a more regular heartbeat. In McTominay’s case, the procedure is intended to address the irregular rhythm and allow him to return to normal activity.

However, the timing of the operation means that McTominay is expected to miss Scotland’s upcoming fixtures. His absence will be particularly significant because he is set to miss the first four matches of new Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli’s tenure.

Before being withdrawn because of the issue, McTominay featured for Napoli in their 2-1 Serie A defeat against Como on Sunday. He was taken off after 56 minutes. The midfielder had previously completed the entire match in Napoli’s 2-0 victory over Genoa on the opening day of the season.

Since arriving in Naples from Manchester United in 2024, McTominay has established himself as one of the most important players in the Italian club’s squad. His transformation has been remarkable, with the Scotland international developing from a useful and reliable midfielder at Old Trafford into one of Serie A’s most dangerous players when attacking the penalty area.

In 82 appearances for Napoli, McTominay has scored 27 goals and provided 10 assists. His contribution was especially important during the club’s successful 2024-25 Serie A campaign, when Napoli captured the league title.

Under manager Antonio Conte, McTominay took his game to another level. Rather than simply performing a supporting role in midfield, he became a major attacking threat, frequently making late runs into the box and contributing crucial goals. He scored 12 league goals during Napoli’s title-winning season and was subsequently named Serie A’s Most Valuable Player.

His outstanding performances also earned him recognition on the international stage. McTominay finished 18th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting, placing him ahead of several highly regarded stars, including Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland and Michael Olise.

One of the defining moments of his season came on the final day of the Serie A campaign. With Napoli battling Inter Milan for the championship, McTominay produced an extraordinary acrobatic finish that helped put his side in front. Napoli ultimately secured the title, and the midfielder’s influence throughout the campaign made him one of the central figures in their success.

His popularity in Naples has grown far beyond his performances on the pitch. Supporters have embraced McTominay as one of their own, and his personality and willingness to immerse himself in local life have strengthened his relationship with the city.

McTominay has embraced the culture of Naples alongside Reading and has made an effort to learn Italian. His appreciation for the city became evident even when he first joined the club. During his medical, he reportedly asked to visit Napoli’s famous home ground, the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, so that he could pay tribute to the club’s legendary former player.

He has also attracted attention for his enthusiasm for local food. In April 2025, McTominay went viral after enthusiastically discussing the quality of tomatoes in Naples.

“Oh my goodness, the tomatoes,” he said at the time. “Bellissimo. I never ate them at home, they are just red water. Here, they actually taste like tomatoes.”

The midfielder explained that he had begun eating the tomatoes as a snack and had developed a greater appreciation for fresh produce since moving to Italy.

“Now I eat them as a snack. I eat all the vegetables, all of the fruits. It is all so fresh. It’s incredible,” he added.

His ability to embrace local traditions and connect with supporters eventually earned him the affectionate nickname “McFratm”. The term “Fratm” is a piece of Neapolitan slang meaning “my brother”, reflecting the affection that fans have developed for the Scottish midfielder.

McTominay’s image has since become a familiar sight around Naples. His face has appeared on murals, flags and even birthday cakes, demonstrating just how quickly he has become a popular figure among Napoli supporters.

Following the club’s 2025 Serie A triumph, fans even created a shrine dedicated to the midfielder in the centre of Naples. Such scenes underline the remarkable impact he has had since arriving from Manchester United.

For now, however, McTominay’s immediate priority is his health. While his upcoming cardiac procedure will temporarily interrupt his footballing commitments, both he and Napoli appear confident that the problem can be successfully treated.

With Reading publicly expressing her pride and support, McTominay will have the backing of those closest to him as he begins his recovery. If the procedure goes as expected, the midfielder should be able to return after the international break and resume his influential role for both Napoli and Scotland.