Scott McTominay and Cam Reading have been a big hit in Naples
Scott McTominay has become one of the finest midfielders in Europe after he made a switch from Manchester United to Napoli in the summer of 2024
Scott McTominay has turned his career around since leaving Manchester United for Napoli. The Scottish star has been racking up trophies, awards and plaudits since his £25.7million move last summer.
The midfielder enjoyed an outstanding season last year, leading the Italian heavyweights to the Serie A title. McTominay, 29, will be back in action for Napoli on Wednesday night when the Italian champions meet Benfica in the Champions League league phase.
While his brimming talent was always threatening to surface at the Red Devils, McTominay has unleashed his full potential in Italy, scoring 12 league goals in 34 matches, contributing to Napoli's second Scudetto in three years. He was also awarded the Serie A MVP title for his stellar performances and fired Scotland to their first World Cup since 1998 last month.
However, off the pitch McTominay has also made an impact. From his stunning girlfriend, his status amongst the locals, and his love for Italian culture, here we take a closer look at the Scotland international's life in Naples.
Girlfriend turning heads
McTominay's glamorous girlfriend Cam Reading has been dubbed the 'Queen of Italy' by some sections of the press. The model turned heads in a sheer dress as McTominay was crowned Serie A Player of the Year earlier this month.
Reading stole the show in a striking see-through black dress, complemented by a glitzy necklace. McTominay's partner has comfortably adapted to life in Napoli, where she lives with the Napoli icon.
She even took to social media to express her pride following his successful evening at the awards ceremony, showcasing some of her Italian.
On Instagram, she wrote: "Gran Gala del Calcio, Scott walked away with two awards and I walked away even prouder of the man he is...dedicated, hardworking and always striving for more. Ti amo."
Last year the pair were pictured on the Amalfi coast in a photo shared by Reading on her Instagram. She declared that she and McTominay had "fallen in love with Italy".
The Manchester rain is now a distant memory
A 'God' in Italy
Former Scotland boss Gordon Strachan once praised McTominay for creating a "god-like" status at Napoli. He has continued as an integral part of Antonio Conte's side, with the team currently locked in an early-season title race with rivals Inter and Milan at the top of Serie A.
Speaking to OLBG, Strachan praised McTominay for forging a fresh start in Italy. He said: "Sometimes it's about finding the right team for you as a player.
"Maybe that's the tip. I think for a long time, I think Scott McTominay was looked upon as the new kind of Stephen Fletcher who could pop in and help and all the rest of it.
"He didn't really have his own identity at Manchester United, I think when he went to Napoli, he found his own identity."
He added: “He's turned into probably one of Italy's best players this year, if not the best. I was in Sorrento recently and that man is now a god and he did it himself. No matter what you say about coaches, you've still got to do it yourself. So I think he's done great."
Adapting to the culture
While McTominay has had no issues adapting to life in Serie A on the pitch, it also appears he has fully embraced life off it too. From drinking coffee and eating fresh tomatoes, the Scot has waxed lyrical about his life in Naples.
An insider at Napoli revealed that McTominay has even grown fond of Italian coffee. In a chat with Gazzetta della Sport, long-time Napoli staff member Tommaso Starace said: "McTominay was sceptical at first; now he averages two in the morning with me."
McTominay also disclosed earlier this year about his newfound love for tomatoes, despite having rarely eaten the fruit before. In an April interview with The Athletic, he said: "Oh my goodness, the tomatoes. I never ate them at home, they're just red water.
"Here, they actually taste like tomatoes. Now I eat them as a snack. I eat all the vegetables, all of the fruits. It is all so fresh. It's incredible."
There's no doubt that McTominay took a leap of faith when he swapped Old Trafford for the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, but he believes the whole experience of living abroad has really helped him come out of his comfort zone.
McTominay's contributions on the pitch have even seen him commemorated with a mural in Naples' city centre. On the love he feels from the locals, he said: "The people in Naples are incredible.
"They're so passionate and everywhere you go there are people who say 'Forza Napoli' and they want to speak to you and have a conversation and that inspires you every time you go on the pitch because they care."
