Scott McTominay’s Stunning Rise to Ballon d’Or Nomination After Historic Season at Napoli

Scott McTominay’s name being linked with the 2025 Ballon d’Or might have sounded like a joke just twelve months ago. Today, it feels deserved. The Scottish midfielder has pulled off one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent football memory, going from a Manchester United outcast to becoming a Serie A champion, MVP, and now, a Ballon d’Or nominee.

The Reinvention in Naples

When McTominay made the switch from Manchester United to Napoli for around £25 million in the summer of 2024, it didn’t make many headlines. It felt like a quiet exit for a player whose time at Old Trafford seemed to have run its course. Yet in Naples, under the no-nonsense guidance of Antonio Conte, McTominay didn’t just find form, he found a new version of himself.

From the very start, there was a different energy to his game. He slotted into Conte’s midfield with confidence and purpose, becoming a regular starter almost immediately. Throughout the 2024–25 season, he emerged as one of Napoli’s most dependable and influential players. His driving runs, goals from midfield, and work rate made him a fan favourite.

The defining moment came on May 23, 2025. Napoli were in a tense title race with Inter Milan, and everything came down to the final matchday. Against Cagliari, McTominay delivered the moment that would seal his name into club folklore a stunning scissor kick that opened the scoring in a 2-0 win. That goal not only won Napoli the game but also clinched the Serie A title by just one point.

A Season to Remember

McTominay didn’t just pop up with one big moment. Over the course of the season, he delivered consistently. In 34 league matches, he scored 12 goals and added 6 assists, a phenomenal return for a midfielder. He was more than just numbers though. He set the tempo, won duels, and showed maturity that had often been lacking in his earlier years at United.

By the time the season ended, there was no debate over who the most valuable player in Serie A was. McTominay walked away with the league’s MVP award, beating out attacking talents like Mateo Retegui and Tijjani Reijnders. It wasn’t just Napoli fans who were raving about him. Across Italy, his performances were being respected and admired.

Conte called him a complete player. Fans in Naples nicknamed him “McFratm,” which in local slang means “my brother.” That bond he built with the city felt real. He didn’t just win games,  he won hearts.

A Historic Nomination

As reports began to surface this week that McTominay had been included on the 30-man shortlist for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, the news sent shockwaves through Scottish football. The official announcement is expected on August 7, and the ceremony will take place in Paris on September 22. If confirmed, McTominay would be the first Scot to be nominated for the award since Ally McCoist in 1987.

Social media reacted just as you’d expect. Some were in disbelief, others couldn’t help but celebrate. One Reddit user joked that McTominay might end up getting more Ballon d’Or votes than Paul Scholes ever did, which speaks more to football’s unpredictability than it does disrespect to legends.

The Scottish media, understandably, has been thrilled. For a country that’s produced passionate players and historic moments but hasn’t often seen global individual recognition, McTominay’s nomination feels monumental. It’s a nod not only to his growth but also to the quality that Scottish players can bring to the European stage when given the right platform.

Bigger Than an Award

What makes McTominay’s rise so impressive is how grounded it feels. This isn’t a story driven by media hype or marketing machines. It’s about a player who rolled up his sleeves, found a new home, and did the work.

At Manchester United, McTominay was seen as solid but limited. In Naples, he has blossomed into a complete midfielder. He is no longer just the guy who comes off the bench to add energy. He is the one who scores title-winning goals and takes over midfield battles.

As the Ballon d’Or voting approaches, McTominay finds himself among elite companies. He will be competing with the likes of Ousmane Dembélé, Lamine Yamal, and Mohamed Salah. He is not expected to win, but even making the shortlist is an incredible achievement. It’s a reward for a season where everything came together, the right coach, the right environment, and a player determined to prove people wrong.

His journey is one that resonates deeply with football fans. It’s a reminder that careers are not linear and that sometimes, all it takes is a fresh start to unlock potential. McTominay’s transformation is a case study in perseverance, adaptability, and the power of self-belief.

For Napoli, he has already become a legend. For Scotland, he’s now a source of immense pride. For the football world, he is the latest proof that hard work, when combined with talent, can take a player from being written off to rubbing shoulders with the game’s greatest.