McTominay to miss Scotland games with minor heart issue
September 1, 2026 12:15
Napoli have confirmed Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay will undergo a minor heart procedure after doctors identified a "mild benign arrhythmia". The 29-year-old was replaced after 56 minutes of Napoli’s Serie A defeat by Como and is scheduled for corrective treatment "in the coming days", the club said.
Napoli expect McTominay to be fit to play after the international break in early October; the player posted on social media indicating he will not be sidelined for long.
KEY CONTEXT
- McTominay is a Scotland international who plays for Napoli and is 29 years old.
- The condition identified is an arrhythmia — an irregularity in the heart’s beating — a definition referenced to NHS guidance in the report.
- Napoli stated the player will undergo cardiac arrhythmia ablation, a procedure the British Heart Foundation describes as using heat or cold energy to create tiny scars in the heart to block faulty electrical signals and restore a normal heartbeat.
WHY IT MATTERS
- The timing of the procedure coincides with Scotland’s upcoming Nations League schedule under new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli, so McTominay’s short-term availability affects both club and country selection.
- Napoli’s expectation of a return after the international break suggests the club views this as a treatable, short-term issue rather than a long-term medical concern.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Confirmation of the exact date of the ablation and any medical update from Napoli after the procedure.
- Squad announcements from Scotland for the Nations League fixtures and whether McTominay is included or omitted.
- Any further timeline updates from Napoli about his rehabilitation and readiness to return in early October.
KEY FACTS
- McTominay was substituted after 56 minutes of Napoli’s defeat by Como.
- Napoli announced he has a "mild benign arrhythmia" and will have corrective treatment shortly.
- The club said he will undergo cardiac arrhythmia ablation.
- Napoli expect him back after the international break in early October.
- He is likely to miss the first four Scotland games under Sebastien Pocognoli (home and away vs Slovenia, and fixtures against North Macedonia and Switzerland).