Scott McTominay left Manchester United in the summer of 2024 and signed for Napoli, where he quickly became a key figure. In the 2024/25 season, he earned cult-hero status, a Ballon d'Or ranking, and the Serie A Player of the Year award, contributing seven goals in the league and 11 in all competitions through his box-to-box midfield role. His specific Ballon d'Or ranking has not been disclosed, but his performances have solidified his place in Napoli's history.
Napoli last won the Scudetto in 2023, 34 years after Diego Maradona led them to their previous triumph, and McTominay's arrival has sparked comparisons to that era. According to Daily Express - Sport, Diego Armando Maradona Junior described McTominay as the most influential player in Napoli's history after his father, likening him to Jesus Christ and calling him a completely fundamental player. Scott McTominay has been immortalized with a shrine built in his honor in Naples, though the exact source or context for this tribute remains unclear.
After my father, McTominay is the most influential player in the history of Napoli. We had God at Napoli in the form of Diego but for me McTominay is Jesus. He is a completely fundamental player.
Manchester United allowed Scott McTominay to depart for a fee of £25 million, and his success abroad raises questions about how the club's fans or management have reacted. According to Daily Express - Sport, Scott McTominay described growing tactically and physically at Napoli, adapting to the differences from the Premier League, though the specific tactical variations he mentioned are not detailed. In the current season, which is not explicitly named but likely refers to 2025/26, Napoli is unlikely to retain their title as they trail Inter Milan by seven points with eight matches remaining.
At Napoli, I grew both from a tactical and a physical point of view. Tactically, Italy is different from the Premier League. I had to adapt and learn very quickly how to play, what movements to make, how to free myself, how to become a problem in the opponent's area and also how to defend. A nice learning curve and I enjoyed every minute.