Scott McTominay is suffering from a "mild benign arrhythmia": this is what Napoli wrote in an official statement, in which they explain the physical condition of the Scottish midfielder. He will undergo a heart operation in the coming days, so that he can resume training and return to the disposal of coach Allegri. In the meantime, the return period has already been determined, which is expected to be no earlier than October.
Napoli statement on Scott McTominay
"Following the development of a mild benign arrhythmia, Scott McTominay will undergo a corrective procedure via ablation (PFA) in the coming days. The player will be available again after the international break."
Nota medica | McTominay ? https://t.co/oFwK9piB9j
— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) September 1, 2026
McTominay's heart surgery: non-invasive ablation procedure
What must be emphasized immediately is that there is no serious and real risk for the Napoli midfielder, nor does his fitness for sport appear to be at risk. The heart problem identified is structurally harmless, but, in order to enable McTominay to return to competing at very high levels and in complete safety, it must be treated in the most appropriate way.
This consists of a cardiac intervention through Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA), a relatively new and rapidly spreading technique that is minimally invasive. The procedure is performed by inserting thin catheters through the veins, until reaching the heart. This technique guarantees a favorable safety profile, with a faster recovery time for daily activities.
McTominay's benign arrhythmia and fitness for sporting activity
The cardiac problem McTominay has is a change in heart rhythm, which is not life-threatening and does not affect the heart's ability to pump blood, but can manifest itself through a strong heartbeat or mild fatigue. In a professional athlete, this can cause mild discomfort during maximum exertion and affect athletic performance.
However, at the moment there is no alarm regarding his suitability for sporting activity in Italy. The real risk is more related to possible early recurrences of the arrhythmia or the need for a longer period of monitoring, if the situation is not completely clear. However, the club and the Napoli doctors will only assess the situation after the ablation.
Recovery time and matches McTominay will miss
A trouble-free return to competitive football is realistically set between 2 and 6 weeks after the procedure, depending on the progress, controls, and type of arrhythmia.
As for McTominay, Napoli have already decided to observe the situation calmly, giving themselves all the time necessary to resolve the problem without anxiety.
Looking at the calendar, Napoli will be constantly busy over the coming weeks, also taking into account the start of European competitions.
Below are, in detail, the matches McTominay will definitely miss:
September 5: Inter-Napoli (Serie A)
September 9: Napoli-Arsenal (Champions League)
September 13: Napoli-Bologna (Serie A)
September 20: Fiorentina-Napoli (Serie A)
