GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 20: Odsonne Edouard of Celtic celebrates after scoring their sides second goal during the William Hill Scottish Cup final match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Hampden Park National Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Napoli have confirmed that Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay will undergo minor heart surgery after being diagnosed with a cardiac condition.
The Italian club released an official statement confirming the discovery of what they described as a “mild benign arrhythmia” affecting the Scotland international.
Napoli’s statement read: “Following the onset of a mild benign arrhythmia, Scott McTominay will undergo corrective surgery using a cardiac arrhythmia ablation in the coming days.”
The condition causes the heart to beat too quickly, too slowly, or with an irregular rhythm that disrupts normal function.
McTominay will receive pulsed field ablation, a minimally invasive procedure that treats irregular heartbeats by delivering short, high-voltage electrical pulses to destroy tiny areas of faulty heart tissue.
The British Heart Foundation explains that cardiac arrhythmia ablation uses heat or cold energy to create tiny scars in the heart, blocking faulty signals and restoring a typical heartbeat.
The midfielder was substituted just short of the hour mark during Napoli’s 2-1 Serie A defeat to Como on Sunday before the club confirmed his diagnosis.
McTominay is not expected to return until after the international break, ruling him out of Napoli’s September fixtures, including a high-profile Champions League clash with Arsenal.
His absence will also affect Scotland’s Nations League campaign under new Belgian head coach Sebastien Pocognoli, who was preparing to begin a new era with the national team.
Scotland have four fixtures scheduled across the end of September and start of October, including games against Slovenia home and away, North Macedonia in Skopje, and Switzerland at Hampden.
Losing McTominay is a significant blow for Pocognoli, as the Napoli man has been one of Scotland’s most important players in recent years and a key creative force.
Fortunately, medical experts and reports suggest the condition is not considered too serious, with a number of athletes having experienced arrhythmia and going on to continue their careers without issue.
The surgery is not expected to have any long-term impact on McTominay’s professional career, bringing some relief to both Napoli and the Scotland national setup.
About the Author
