Scott McTominay to Miss a Month After Heart Surgery for Benign Arrhythmia

Scott McTominay, a key midfielder for both Napoli and the Scotland national team, has long been aware of a heart condition. According to Fanpage, McTominay experienced symptoms as far back as the World Cup, when he felt unwell and was uncertain if he could continue playing.

Medical staff at Napoli and the player himself had monitored the issue. The situation became public only after recent medical checks confirmed the nature of the heart rhythm problem.

On September 1, 2026, Napoli released an official statement announcing that McTominay had been diagnosed with a mild benign arrhythmia. The club said he would undergo corrective surgery, specifically a cardiac arrhythmia ablation, within days. This procedure is designed to address irregular heartbeats and is considered routine for such diagnoses, according to the Daily Mail and Fanpage.

Multiple outlets, including L'Équipe and ANSA.it, reported that McTominay's condition was not considered dangerous but required a short-term break from football. Napoli confirmed he would be unavailable for selection until after the upcoming international break, which rules him out of both Serie A matches and Scotland's national team fixtures in September.

Reports from World News CNA and The42 reiterated that the midfielder is expected to return to play by October. The club and McTominay have coordinated closely on his care, emphasizing that the decision for surgery was precautionary and intended to ensure a safe return.

On September 2, Fanpage published further details from McTominay himself, confirming he had felt unwell during the last World Cup and that both he and the club had known about his heart issue for some time.

As of early September, McTominay is preparing for his heart procedure. He will be absent from Napoli and Scotland's squads for at least a month. Club doctors and staff remain optimistic about his full recovery, with a targeted return date after the international break in October.

McTominay's absence is a blow for both his club and country, but the condition is described as mild and benign, with no long-term health risks expected once the procedure is complete.

The main question is how quickly McTominay will recover and when he will be cleared to return to full training and competition. Both Napoli and the Scottish national team will monitor his post-surgery progress, with updates expected closer to his planned October return.