Scott McTominay is facing a spell on the sidelines after Napoli confirmed the Scotland midfielder will undergo corrective surgery for a mild heart rhythm issue.
The development means the former Manchester United star is expected to miss a crucial run of fixtures for both club and country, including Napoli’s Champions League meeting with Arsenal next week.
McTominay will also be unavailable for Scotland’s upcoming Nations League matches, dealing an early setback to new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli as he prepares to take charge of his first four games.
Napoli said the 29-year-old is experiencing what has been described as a mild benign arrhythmia — an irregular heart rhythm that the club says is non-serious.
The Serie A side confirmed that McTominay will undergo a cardiac arrhythmia ablation in the coming days before returning to action after the international break.
“Following the onset of a mild benign arrhythmia, Scott McTominay will undergo corrective surgery using a cardiac arrhythmia ablation in the coming days,” read a short statement from Napoli.
“He will be available again after the international break.”
The timing is far from ideal for Napoli, with McTominay having started both of their Serie A matches so far this season.
The Scottish midfielder was substituted after 56 minutes during Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat to Como, and he is now set for a temporary absence while he receives treatment.
His expected absence also rules him out of Napoli’s September fixtures, including the highly anticipated Champions League clash against Arsenal.
For Scotland, the blow is equally significant. McTominay has become one of the national team’s most influential figures in recent years, bringing goals, energy and leadership from midfield.
He is now expected to miss matches against Slovenia twice, Switzerland and North Macedonia, denying Pocognoli one of Scotland’s most important midfield options during his opening games in charge.
The positive news for Napoli and Scotland is that the club expects McTominay’s absence to be short-term.
Napoli’s statement indicates that the midfielder could return following the international break, potentially allowing him to resume his season without a lengthy interruption. For now, though, football takes a back seat.
Napoli will have to navigate a demanding stretch without one of their key players, Scotland must prepare for a new era without a major midfield presence, and Arsenal will no longer have to contend with McTominay when they travel to Italy next week.
The focus will be firmly on the midfielder’s successful procedure and recovery before his anticipated return to action.
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