Scott McTominay stuns Serie A with MVP form after £26m Napoli move

Scott McTominay has silenced critics with a stunning Serie A career after his £26m switch from Manchester United to Napoli in the summer of 2024.

Few expected the Scotland midfielder to scale such heights when he left Old Trafford. At the time, McTominay was seen as a hard-working but unspectacular holding midfielder. Yet in Naples, he has become a buccaneering No.10, posting career-best attacking numbers. Across two seasons, he has found the net 27 times while spearheading a title charge that culminated in the 2025 Scudetto.

His impact has been immediate and undeniable. McTominay’s transformation has drawn comparisons to Diego Maradona, the Argentine legend once idolised by Napoli’s fanbase. The Scotland international now enjoys cult status in the city, balancing on-field brilliance with off-field happiness.

Walker, a former Sampdoria defender, offered his take on McTominay’s Serie A journey. Speaking to GOAL, he stressed the difficulty foreign players face in Italy. “If you're not Italian, you're starting from way below,” Walker said. “Everything to them, you've got to go out and re-prove yourself. It doesn't matter what you've done anywhere else: you've got to do it in Italy.”

Walker, who played in Serie A himself, knows the challenge firsthand. “The first year is really, really tough,” he added. “The more he stays, the better he'll become. He's handled it really well, especially in the early months.”

McTominay’s Serie A success didn’t go unnoticed. He earned Player of the Year honours in 2025 and finished 18th in the Ballon d’Or vote. His performances also earned him a spot at the 2026 World Cup finals, where he represented Scotland on the global stage.

The recognition marks a stark contrast to his pre-Napoli reputation. His goal tally in Serie A has rewritten his narrative, proving his adaptability in a league known for its tactical rigour.

Transfer speculation has swirled around McTominay since his move to Italy. Yet the signs suggest he’s settled for now. Kenny Miller, a former Scotland international, told GOAL that McTominay has “acclimatised himself to life in Naples” and is clearly loving his football.

“When you're winning things as a player: when you go into that league and you win the league and you get the MVP of the league: it’s special,” Miller said. “He’s adored by the fans. That’s something rare for a foreign player in Italy.”

While clubs may come calling, Miller believes the pull of Napoli’s adoration and on-field success will keep McTominay put for now. His next move, if any, would require something truly exceptional to tempt him away.