Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay has revealed he underwent a heart shock procedure just two days before Scotland‘s 2026 World Cup match against Haiti. The revelation sheds light on a significant health issue the player faced during a crucial period.
Initial Health Scare
McTominay was diagnosed with a mild, benign arrhythmia. The procedure, known as a cardioversion, involved a mild electrical shock to reset his heart rhythm. He was placed under general anaesthetic for the treatment. Speaking in a press conference for Scotland’s Nations League match with North Macedonia, McTominay described the experience: “I had to go and get the shock on my heart two days before the Haiti game.” He added, “I was 100 per cent, but obviously when you’re sat in a hospital bed two days before the first game of the World Cup about to get put to sleep, it’s not ideal, is it?”
Recurrence and Corrective Surgery
Although his heart returned to a normal rhythm after the initial shock treatment, the irregular heartbeat resumed while he was playing for Napoli in August. This led to him being removed from the Napoli squad after the first two Serie A rounds. To address the recurring issue, McTominay underwent corrective surgery, a pulsed-field ablation (PFA), on September 8.
Return to Action and Strong Form
Following his surgery, McTominay made his return to competitive football on October 10. He has since shown strong form for Napoli, scoring five goals in his last six competitive games. This recent goal-scoring run indicates his successful recovery and return to peak performance after a challenging period.