Scott McTominay’s transformation from a Manchester United fringe player to a beloved icon in Naples reached its peak this week, as the Scottish midfielder was crowned Serie A’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) following Napoli’s dramatic league title triumph.
The 27-year-old not only fired the crucial goal in a 2-0 win over Cagliari to seal the title but also etched his name in the annals of Napoli folklore with a season that has stunned pundits and captivated fans.
In front of a raucous crowd at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, McTominay hooked in an acrobatic volley—his 12th league goal of the season—setting the stage for Romelu Lukaku to add a second and secure the club’s fourth Serie A crown.
As the final whistle blew, McTominay dropped to his knees in tears, overwhelmed by the magnitude of the achievement.
“I’m lost for words,” McTominay said, visibly emotional. “It’s incredible, the sacrifice that every single player in the group has put forward to the cause. The people deserve it. They’ve been behind us from day one, and for me to come and experience this is a dream.”
From Manchester to Naples: A Bold Gamble Pays Off
Leaving Manchester United, where he had spent over two decades, was a bold move for McTominay. He had joined the club’s academy at the tender age of five and worked his way through the ranks.
But in the summer of 2024, he opted for a fresh challenge. Napoli snapped him up for a modest £25.7 million—a fee now considered one of the bargains of the decade.
His departure drew criticism from former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who remarked, “How you can sell Scott is beyond me.” Meanwhile, United themselves are enduring one of their worst seasons since the mid-1970s, languishing outside European competition.
The move to Italy very nearly didn’t happen. Napoli had initially lined up Frosinone midfielder Marco Brescianini, who was undergoing a medical. But when that deal collapsed, McTominay was brought in—a fateful sliding-doors moment for both club and player.
The Conte Effect: Unleashing a ‘Raider’
Antonio Conte, never shy about adapting tactics to bring out the best in his players, saw potential in McTominay that had been largely untapped at United.
Often deployed as a defensive midfielder or even a centre-back for Scotland, McTominay was handed a more advanced role at Napoli.
“In Conte’s system, he’s not a builder, he’s a raider,” said Naples-based journalist Vincenzo Credendino. “He plays close to the number nine—usually Lukaku—and attacks with purpose.”
The results have been spectacular. McTominay ended the campaign as the top-scoring midfielder in Serie A and was pivotal in key games. Eight of his 12 goals came when the score was level, further underlining his knack for clutch performances.
His April performances earned him the Player of the Month award, and he’s been shortlisted again for May. His work rate, tactical intelligence, and new-found attacking freedom have seen him compared to Conte’s former Juventus stars Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio.
A Cult Hero in Naples
Napoli is a one-club city with a history of idolizing its football heroes—none more revered than Diego Maradona. While McTominay may never reach those divine heights, the affection he commands is as close as a mortal can get.
He’s been embraced with open arms by the fanbase. Tattoos bearing his nickname “McFratm”—a Neapolitan slang term akin to “McBro”—are appearing across the city. A shrine dedicated to him was recently unveiled in the San Nicola a Nilo church, and local restaurants proudly display Scottish flags in his honour.
“Napoli. McTominay. Pizza. In that order,” reads a flag in San Ciro’s, an Edinburgh restaurant run by Neapolitan-Scots brothers.
“Napoli fans love when a player commits to the city,” said co-owner Ciro Sartore. “And him kissing the Napoli badge shows how much the love and appreciation means to him.”
McTominay has also endeared himself off the pitch, making efforts to learn both Italian and Neapolitan dialects, and embracing local culture—including, humorously, the tomatoes.
“Back home, tomatoes are just red water,” he joked. “Here, they actually taste like tomatoes. I eat them as snacks now.”
Leadership on and off the Pitch
McTominay has also emerged as a leader in a squad that needed fresh inspiration. On several occasions, he’s been seen mediating disputes among teammates, encouraging younger players, and directing on-field tactics.
His influence has not gone unnoticed.
“He is the symbol of this Napoli side,” said Credendino. “His intensity, his sacrifice, his passion—these are things the fans admire deeply. When he kissed the badge against Palermo in September, it wasn’t for show. He meant it.”
A Scottish Renaissance in Italy
McTominay isn’t the only Scot rewriting history in Italy. Billy Gilmour, who joined him from Brighton last summer, played a pivotal role in Napoli’s midfield rotation.
Meanwhile, Bologna—winners of the Coppa Italia—were captained by Lewis Ferguson. It marks a banner year for Scottish footballers in Serie A, who until now had never won the league title.
Graeme Souness had long stood as the sole Scot to win a major Italian honour, lifting the Coppa Italia with Sampdoria. That distinction has now been broadened, with McTominay and Gilmour as champions and Ferguson joining the list of cup winners.
Looking Ahead
With his name already etched in Naples history, McTominay’s future looks brighter than ever. Napoli are expected to offer him a contract extension amid growing interest from top European clubs, while Conte sees him as a cornerstone of his tactical blueprint moving forward.
For McTominay, who once struggled for consistency and identity at Manchester United, this season has been transformative.
“I took the opportunity, I didn’t look back,” he told BBC Scotland. “As soon as I put my mind to something, that’s it. There’s no holding me back.”
In Naples, he hasn’t just found form—he’s found a home. And judging by the love pouring in from the streets, shrines, and stadiums of the city, Scott McTominay, or “McFratm,” is already a legend.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
