Napoli confirm Scott McTominay’s successful heart surgery

Napoli have confirmed that midfielder Scott McTominay has undergone successful surgery to treat a heart rhythm issue and should return to training after a short rest.

The Scotland international was diagnosed with a mild benign arrhythmia, a condition that causes the heart to beat irregularly. He has since undergone an ablation procedure at Spire Manchester Hospital.

“The operation was a complete success,” the Italian club said in a statement. “McTominay will rest for two weeks and then resume training.”

Napoli had anticipated that the midfielder could be unavailable until mid-October, so his recovery timeline could impact both his club and international commitments.

Cardiac arrhythmia ablation is a medical procedure used to treat abnormal heart rhythms. 

According to the British Heart Foundation, some ablation procedures can take as little as 15 minutes. However, the length can vary depending on the patient and the type of arrhythmia being treated.

During the procedure, doctors make a small opening, usually in the groin or wrist, then guide thin tubes called catheters through the blood vessels toward the heart.

Once doctors identify the source of the abnormal rhythm, they use either radiofrequency energy or extreme cold, known as cryoablation, to treat the affected area. 

The aim is to stop the abnormal electrical signals that are causing the irregular heartbeat.

McTominay featured in Napoli’s opening two Serie A matches of the season before being substituted during their 2-1 defeat to Como.

The Scotsman also missed Napoli’s 1-0 defeat against Arsenal in their 2026/27 Champions League opener.

The situation could also affect Scotland. If McTominay is out until October, he could miss their upcoming fixtures during the extended international break.

Scotland are scheduled to face Slovenia, Switzerland and North Macedonia in their Nations League Group B1 campaign, with Sebastien Pocognoli taking charge for the first time since replacing Steve Clarke.

Pocognoli inherited a Scotland side coming off a disappointing World Cup campaign. Scotland scored just once across their three group matches and failed to reach the knockout stage.

McTominay had played every minute of the tournament, making his recovery particularly important for both Napoli and Scotland.