Napoli have confirmed that Scott McTominay will temporarily step away from football after being diagnosed with a mild, benign heart rhythm condition.
The 29-year-old midfielder is due to undergo a corrective ablation procedure in the coming days. Napoli have described the issue as minor and expect McTominay to be available again after the upcoming international break.
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What Happened to Scott McTominay?
Napoli announced on September 1 that medical examinations had identified a mild, benign arrhythmia. An arrhythmia refers to an irregular heart rhythm. Napoli has not disclosed further medical details beyond confirming that McTominay will undergo a corrective procedure.
The club's statement is encouraging about his recovery and does not suggest a long-term absence. McTominay will now complete the procedure before beginning the process required to return to training and competitive football.
How Long Will McTominay Be Out?
Napoli have not provided an exact return date. Their official update says McTominay is expected to become available after the international break, while Reuters reports that his absence is expected to last approximately one month.
That means Napoli will have to plan without one of their most important midfielders during a demanding early part of the season.
The club's upcoming schedule includes Serie A matches against Inter, Bologna and Fiorentina, as well as the Champions League league-phase opener against Arsenal on September 9. McTominay is also set to miss Scotland's upcoming Nations League fixtures.
Why McTominay's Absence Matters for Napoli
McTominay has become an important part of Napoli's midfield since arriving from Manchester United. His role combines physical presence with the ability to make forward runs from midfield, compete for second balls and provide an additional goal threat around the penalty area.
His absence therefore removes a different type of midfielder from Massimiliano Allegri's options. Napoli still have alternatives in central midfield, but replacing McTominay is not simply a matter of selecting another player in the same position. Allegri may need to adjust how aggressively his midfielders attack the box while McTominay is unavailable.
The timing is particularly inconvenient because Napoli are entering a period that includes both an important Serie A meeting with Inter and the beginning of their Champions League campaign.
When Could Scott McTominay Return?
Napoli's current expectation is that McTominay will be available again after the international break. The club has not announced a specific match for his return, and his availability will ultimately depend on his recovery following the procedure.
For that reason, any precise return date beyond Napoli's own timeframe would be premature. The most important part of the club's update is that the condition has been described as mild and benign, with the procedure intended to correct the issue before McTominay resumes playing.
Conclusion
Scott McTominay will temporarily miss action for Napoli after being diagnosed with a mild heart rhythm issue that requires a corrective procedure. Napoli expect the Scotland international to return after the international break, although no exact comeback date has been confirmed.
His absence comes at an important stage of the season, with Napoli facing major Serie A fixtures and Arsenal in the Champions League. The immediate priority, however, will be McTominay completing his procedure and recovery before returning safely to competitive football.