Scott McTominay’s move from Manchester United to Napoli last summer raised eyebrows across Europe, but any doubts have been emphatically silenced after a stunning debut season in Serie A. The 28-year-old midfielder not only helped Napoli clinch their first league title since 2023 but also claimed the prestigious Serie A Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
In a dramatic finale to the season, McTominay opened the scoring in Napoli’s decisive 2-0 win over Cagliari on Friday night. The goal proved pivotal, as it secured the title by a single point over arch-rivals Inter Milan. At the final whistle, the Scottish international fell to the ground in tears, overwhelmed by the scale of his achievement. “The sacrifice of every single player in this group is just incredible,” McTominay said. “To come here and experience this is just a dream.”
From Manchester to Naples: A Perfect Rebirth
After spending 22 years at Manchester United, where he never truly established himself as a leading figure, McTominay took a leap of faith by moving to Italy in a £25 million ($34 million) deal. The transition proved to be transformational. At Napoli, he was handed a central role in midfield by new coach Antonio Conte and quickly became a fan favorite.
Nicknamed “McFratm” by Napoli supporters — a fusion of his name and “Fratm,” the Neapolitan word for “my brother” — McTominay embraced life in southern Italy both on and off the pitch. “My Italian is OK, I can understand, but speaking it takes more confidence,” he said with a laugh, admitting he’s recently learned the words “festeggiamo, andiamo” — “let’s go celebrate.” His connection with fans and his 12-goal haul across the campaign confirmed his status as the heart of Napoli’s midfield.
Conte’s Masterstroke: Unlocking McTominay’s Potential
Antonio Conte’s arrival at Napoli last summer came with a clear vision — and McTominay was central to it. The former Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Tottenham manager made the Scotland international one of his first signings and trusted him with responsibilities he had never enjoyed at Manchester United.
“Scott never had a primary role at Manchester United,” Conte remarked earlier this month. “But here, we gave him one. He’s worked hard and now he’s a complete player.” Conte’s trust paid off, not only with Napoli’s league triumph but with McTominay’s evolution into a mature, confident leader. Under Conte’s tutelage, McTominay’s game matured significantly, blending defensive discipline with timely goal-scoring, making him one of the most complete midfielders in the league.
Lukaku, Conte Also Shine in a Historic Season
While McTominay grabbed the headlines, fellow summer signing Romelu Lukaku also played a vital role in Napoli’s championship run. The Belgian striker, brought in from Chelsea, scored the second goal against Cagliari — his 14th of the season — and added a league-high 10 assists to his tally. His presence gave Napoli the physical edge in attack they had previously lacked.
Antonio Conte, the mastermind behind Napoli’s campaign, was named Serie A Coach of the Year. His dual success in developing McTominay and reviving Lukaku’s form reaffirmed his reputation as one of Europe’s elite managers. “This title is for the city, the players, and everyone who believed in this project,” Conte declared.
Serie A Awards: Celebrating the Season’s Best
In addition to McTominay’s MVP honor, several other standout performers were recognized at the Serie A awards. Roma’s Mile Svilar took home the Best Goalkeeper award, while Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni was named Best Defender. AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders won Best Midfielder, and Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui was crowned Best Striker.
The Best Under-23 Player award went to Como forward Nico Paz, another breakout star of the campaign. However, it was McTominay’s rise — from a squad player at Old Trafford to a national hero in Naples — that truly captured the imagination of fans across Italy. His journey underscores the beauty of football: a fresh start, the right environment, and unshakeable belief can rewrite any narrative.
