Revealed: How McTominay went from being Man Utd's spare part to Napoli's title-winning inspiration and Ballon d'Or nominee

Nobody could have foreseen the impact that Scott McTominay would make during his debut season at Napoli, surely not even McTominay himself.

The Scotland midfielder joined the Naples giants last summer after 22 years at Manchester United.

McTominay was seen as a steady squad player at Old Trafford but not the elite talent required to return United to former glories.

Solid and dependable, but at the level of Bryan Robson, Roy Keane or Paul Scholes? Hardly.

At least that was a view amongst a section of the fanbase who felt a club of United’s size and stature needed better.

And so McTominay, a homegrown talent from Lancaster who had been on United’s books since he was five, was ushered out of the door last summer in a £25.7million transfer to Napoli.

United’s loss has very much been the Serie A side’s gain as McTominay enjoyed a season beyond his wildest dreams with Antonio Conte’s side.

The imposing 28-year-old with an eye for goal was the driving force behind Napoli’s title-winning campaign and his highlights reel is impressive to say the least.

A dozen goals in 34 league games? Oh yes.

A spectacular scissor-kick volley to help Napoli beat Cagliari and secure their fourth Serie A title? That will do nicely.

Idolised by Napoli supporters? Absolutely.

The Serie A player of the year award and a place in the league’s team of the season? No more than he deserved.

Now, though, McTominay’s status in Naples – and indeed European football – could potentially reach new heights.

Earlier this week he was announced as a Ballon d’Or nominee, officially one of the best footballers in Europe, on a 30-man shortlist.

McTominay is in esteemed company in a group which includes the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Raphinha, Declan Rice, Mohamed Sala, Virgil van Dijk, Florian Wirtz and Lamine Yamal.

The nominees for the 2025 winners boast some of the games' greatest names, including several you'll be able to see strutting their stuff as part of DAZN's Serie A coverage this season. 

DAZN will be the new home for Serie A in 2025-26, with over 300 games to broadcast live over the course of the season.

Could McTominay come out on top when the coveted prize is awarded on September 22? You would have your doubts.

One bookmaker has the imposing Scot – officially the best player in Serie A last season – at lengthy odds 150/1 to win it.

Paris St-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele, 28, is the favourite for the prize following his dazzling campaign for Luis Enrique’s side, which resulted in Champions League glory in Munich.

Barcelona’s teenage sensation Yamal is second favourite to win the Ballon d’Or while Chelsea’s Cole Palmer is priced at 33/1.

Yet there is a certain romance to McTominay, the most valuable player of the Italian league season, winning the highest individual honour in European football.

His is a story of bravery, resilience and courage.

The Lancastrian backed himself to move to a new country, to learn a new language, and assimilate in a whole new culture and league.

That he passed the test with flying colours is testament as much to his strength of character as his footballing ability.

McTominay’s impact for Conte’s side last term was quite staggering and the Italian, a serial winner, clearly got the best out of him.

Conte, who won his fifth Serie A crown as a manager after one with Inter Milan and three at Juventus, said in early May: “Scott feels more complete and knowledgeable and he's reaching a key stage in his career where he needs to decide his direction.

“He never had a primary role at Man United, while here we gave him one.

“He's worked hard and now he's a complete player. His improvement has been shared by the whole team.”

McTominay’s decision transformed his career and his life while the club he left behind have not exactly prospered since.

Nor has Manuel Ugarte, the man United paid Paris St-Germain over £40million for as McTominay’s replacement.

United finished 15th in the Premier League, their lowest top-flight position since being relegated in 1973-74.

They also suffered a dismal 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, a game Ugarte was not picked to play in.

Meanwhile, McTominay was busy scoring spectacular goals and helping Napoli to their second Scudetto in three seasons.

The old European Footballer of the Year award, as the Ballon d’Or was previously known, has been won only once by a Scottish player – Denis Law way back in 1964.

Kenny Dalglish was runner-up in 1983 but the last Scot to get on the shortlist was Ally McCoist in 1987.

That puts McTominay’s nomination into context and, regardless of whether he wins the Ballon d’Or, his iconic status in Naples is already assured.

Moreover, his impact for Conte’s champions looks set to grow as the new Serie A season comes into focus and Napoli, buoyed by some impressive summer signings including Kevin De Bruyne, bid to defend their domestic crown and maybe even challenge for the Champions League.

 

Full list of 2025 Ballon d'Or nominees 

• Ousmane Dembele (PSG & France)
• Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG & Italy)
• Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid & England)
• Desire Doue (PSG & France)
• Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan & Netherlands)
• Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund & Guinea)
• Erling Haaland (Man City & Norway)
• Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal & Sweden)
• Achraf Hakimi (PSG & Morocco)
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich & England)
• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG & Georgia)
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona & Poland)
• Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool & Argentina)
• Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan & Argentina)
• Scott McTominay (Napoli & Scotland)
• Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid & France)
• Nuno Mendes (PSG & Portugal)
• Joao Neves (PSG & Portugal)
• Pedri (Barcelona & Spain)
• Cole Palmer (Chelsea & England)
• Michael Olise (Bayern Munich & France)
• Raphinha (Barcelona & Brazil)
• Declan Rice (Arsenal & England)
• Fabian Ruiz (PSG & Spain)
• Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool & Netherlands)
• Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid & Brazil)
• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool & Egypt)
• Florian Wirtz (Liverpool & Germany)
• Vitinha (PSG & Portugal)
• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona & Spain)

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