Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay has reportedly been nominated for the Ballon d’Or after lifting the Serie A title with them last season.
McTominay, 28, moved to the Italian side after seven years at Manchester United and proceeded to shine under Antonio Conte.
The Scotland international scored 16 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions as Napolin won their second Scudetto in three seasons and is now said to have been nominated for the Ballon D’Or by Sam C.
A titanic title race saw Napoli squeak past Inter as they won 2-0 on the final day against Cagliari – a game in which McTominay scored the first goal.
Another former Man United player in Romelu Lukaku scored the second to spark joyous scenes in Naples.
After he was seen in tears at the final whistle, McTominay was crowned the Serie A Player of the Year as he was mobbed by his elated team-mates.
Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay has reportedly been nominated for the Ballon d’Or
McTominay was crowned Serie A Player of the Year after inspiring his side to the Scudetto
The Scotland international scored 16 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions and is now said to have been nominated for the Ballon D’Or
Conte used the Scotland star in a more advanced midfield position than his previous role at Manchester United and was rewarded with a glut of goals.
It marks a stunning turnaround for McTominay, who was deemed surplus to requirements by United chiefs a year ago when he was sold to Napoli for a fee of £25million – which now appears to be an astute piece of business.
Lukaku, another United reject who signed from Chelsea last August, has been almost as influential for Napoli.
The Belgium striker has looked fit and has been firing, banging in 14 goals last season – including a fine solo effort to seal the title.
It wasn’t just goals for Lukaku, who finished on top of Serie A’s assists pile for 2024-25 with 10.
The title win for McTominay and Lukaku came just 48 hours after their former club lost the Europa League final 1-0 to Tottenham in Bilbao.
Upon their triumph, Napoli was greeted with fireworks as they and their fans celebrated in style.
Former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Conte, who was crowned Serie A Coach of the Year, became the first man to win the Scudetto with three different teams.
Antonio Conte became the first man to win the Italian title with three different teams
It sealed Napoli’s fourth Serie A title and capped an impressive turnaround after the Partenopei finished 10th during a dismal title defence the previous campaign.
Diego Maradona led Napoli to its first two titles in 1987 and 1990, before a lean period for the southern Italian club.
The 2022-23 team inspired by Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia clinched with five rounds to spare.