Scott McTominay to undergo heart surgery as Napoli release statement on Scotland midfielder

Scott McTominay is to undergo heart surgery after being diagnosed with a mild, benign cardiac arrhythmia.

The Napoli midfielder will have an operation in the coming days after the condition - which causes minor irregular heartbeats - was flagged during routine medical tests.

The treatment will involve the Scotland international receiving pulsed field ablation (PFA), which is described as a minimally invasive procedure that treats irregular heartbeats by delivering short, high-voltage electrical pulses to safely destroy tiny areas of faulty heart tissue.

Napoli and Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay is set to undergo heart surgery. | SNS Group

"Following the onset of a mild benign arrhythmia, Scott McTominay will undergo corrective surgery using a cardiac arrhythmia ablation (PFA) in the coming days," Napoli said in a statement.

Napoli added that McTominay is not expected to return until after the international break, meaning he is unlikely to be available to Sebastian Pocognoli when he names his maiden Scotland squad for the start of the new Nations League campaign later this month.

Scotland sent a message of support to McTominay, posting on the national team’s official X account: “Wishing you all the best in your recovery, Scott. Hope to see you back in a Scotland shirt soon.”

McTominay has excelled in Italy since joining Napoli from Manchester United in a £25.7million transfer in August 2024, scoring 27 goals and contributing 10 assists in 82 appearances. He lifted the Serie A title in his first season and received a nomination for the Ballon d’Or.

The 29-year-old is expected to miss four Napoli matches in total, including the Serie A showdown against defending champions Inter Milan at the San Siro this weekend and the opening Champions League league phase fixture against Arsenal next week.

He will also sit out Serie A games against Bologna and Fiorentina, and the Scotland matches agains Slovenia (twice), Switzerland and North Macedonia, before returning for Napoli’s Champions League trip to Villarreal on Tuesday, October 13, if his recovery goes to according to schedule.