Scott McTominay to undergo corrective heart surgery after Napoli reveal mild benign arrhythmia diagnosis
Former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay is scheduled to have corrective heart surgery in the coming days after Napoli confirmed he has been diagnosed with a mild, benign cardiac arrhythmia. The Italian club released a medical update on Tuesday outlining the treatment plan and the expected timeline for the 29-year-old’s return to action.
In an official statement Napoli said: “Following the onset of a mild benign arrhythmia, Scott McTominay will undergo corrective surgery using a cardiac arrhythmia ablation (PFA) in the coming days. He will be available again after the international break.” The diagnosis means that McTominay’s heart is occasionally beating outside its normal rhythm. The specific procedure he will undergo is pulsed field ablation, a technique in which carefully targeted electrical pulses are used to address the small area of heart tissue responsible for the irregular rhythm.
It is not yet known what triggered the arrhythmia. Common forms include atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia and various types of heart block. The majority of arrhythmias are not life-threatening, though some require medical intervention depending on their nature and frequency. Napoli’s description of the condition as mild and benign indicates that the club’s medical staff view the issue as manageable with the planned procedure.
McTominay moved to Napoli from Manchester United in August 2024 in a transfer worth £25.7 million. The Scotland international had spent his entire professional career at Old Trafford until that point, having first joined the club’s academy system as a five-year-old. Across 255 appearances for United under four permanent managers he scored 29 goals and provided eight assists. Since switching to Serie A his output has been notably higher: in 82 matches for Napoli he has already scored 27 goals and registered more assists than he managed during his entire senior career in England.
The timing of the surgery means there is still uncertainty over whether McTominay will be available for Scotland’s upcoming Nations League fixtures against Slovenia, Switzerland and North Macedonia. Napoli have stated only that he is expected to be ready after the international break, leaving his national-team participation dependent on how smoothly the procedure and immediate recovery progress.
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Heart-related issues have affected several high-profile footballers in recent years. Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s opening match of the 2020 European Championship against Finland. Team doctor Morten Boesen later described the severity of the episode, noting that resuscitation was required on the pitch. Eriksen recovered and returned to elite football, though he experienced another collapse during a friendly against Ukraine in June this year before being able to walk from the field under his own power. In 2017 Michael Carrick, then still a Manchester United player, underwent a cardiac ablation after developing an irregular heart rhythm during a Carabao Cup tie against Burton Albion. Carrick missed a short period of action before resuming his career and continuing until his planned retirement the following year.
McTominay’s situation appears less dramatic than those earlier cases, with Napoli emphasising the mild and benign nature of the arrhythmia and the relatively short expected absence. The use of pulsed field ablation reflects advances in the treatment of such conditions, offering a targeted approach that many specialists regard as effective for suitable patients. The club’s medical team will monitor his recovery closely once the procedure is complete, with the aim of having him available for selection once the international window has closed.
For Napoli the temporary loss of a key midfielder arrives at a point in the season when squad depth is tested by the demands of domestic and European competition. McTominay has established himself as an important contributor since his arrival, both in terms of goals from midfield and in the physical presence he brings to the side. His rapid adaptation to Italian football and the sharp increase in his goalscoring rate have made him a popular figure with supporters and a valued asset for the coaching staff.
At Manchester United he had been a reliable if sometimes understated presence, capable of filling multiple midfield roles and occasionally producing decisive moments in big matches. The move to Naples offered a fresh start and greater consistent playing time, opportunities he has clearly seized. The fact that his goal tally in fewer than half the number of appearances already approaches his United total underlines how productive the change of clubs has been.
The coming days will focus on the successful completion of the ablation procedure and the early stages of recovery. Napoli have given no indication of complications and have projected a return to availability after the international break. Whether that timeline also accommodates Scotland’s Nations League commitments remains to be confirmed once the medical team has assessed his progress post-surgery.
In the wider context of professional football, regular cardiac screening and prompt intervention when irregularities are detected have become standard practice. McTominay’s case follows that pattern: an identified mild arrhythmia, a planned corrective procedure, and a clear expectation of a relatively swift return. The public nature of the announcement also reflects the modern requirement for clubs to keep supporters and the wider football community informed about significant medical developments involving senior players.
As McTominay prepares for the procedure, attention will turn to how quickly he can resume full training and match involvement. Napoli’s statement provides reassurance that the condition is not regarded as serious and that the chosen treatment is expected to resolve the issue. For a player who has reinvented his scoring record in Italy after more than a decade at Manchester United, the priority now is a smooth recovery and a return to the form that has marked his time in Naples.
