McTominay undergoes successful heart surgery as Napoli confirm two-week return timeline

Scott McTominay has undergone successful heart surgery, Napoli confirmed on Tuesday, with the Scotland international set to return to training within two weeks after an ablation procedure to correct a minor irregular heart rhythm.

The 29-year-old was diagnosed with a mild benign arrhythmia — a non-serious but treatable condition — and had the procedure carried out at Spire Manchester Hospital. “The operation was a complete success,” Napoli said in a statement. “McTominay will rest for two weeks and then resume training.”

McTominay himself sought to reassure supporters at a recent awards ceremony, saying: “I’m fine, the procedure was something I’d planned to do with the club for quite a while.”

The surgery forced him to miss Napoli’s 3-2 Serie A defeat away to Inter Milan last Saturday, and he will be absent for at least three further fixtures, including the club’s Champions League opener at home to Arsenal on Wednesday. Manager Max Allegri is expected to have him available when Napoli host Frosinone on 10 October, their first game back after the international break.

Napoli’s start to the season has been difficult regardless, with the club losing two of their opening three Serie A matches to sit 12th in the table, six points off the pace.

Scotland will also be without their key midfielder for the opening fixtures under new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli. Following a disappointing World Cup qualifying exit, Scotland face four Nations League matches between 26 September and 6 October as Pocognoli begins his rebuild.

McTominay’s long-term future at the club has added another layer of uncertainty to the situation. Contracted until 2028, the midfielder has yet to commit to an extension, with Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna acknowledging the complexity of negotiations. “Scott said he doesn’t know if he’ll renew at this time,” Manna said. “He has a two-year contract, we want to do it, and he wants to do it, too. It’s not always easy to make things coincide, but we’re trying.”

McTominay joined Napoli from Manchester United in the summer of 2024 in a deal worth £25.7 million, having spent more than two decades at Old Trafford and made 255 first-team appearances. He won the Serie A title in his debut season in Naples and was named the league’s Player of the Season.