McTominay Shares Heart Treatment Story Before World Cup Game

Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay has shared that he got emergency treatment for an irregular heartbeat just two days before Scotland’s first match against Haiti at the FIFA World Cup in June.

The Napoli player revealed that he had treatment to fix his heartbeat right before Scotland’s 1-0 win over Haiti in Massachusetts.

McTominay, who is 29, had an ablation procedure in Manchester. This is a simple medical operation to fix abnormal heart rhythms.

Talking about his experience on BBC Sport on Tuesday, the former Manchester United player said it shocked him after months of training for the tournament.

“I had to go and get the shock on my heart. It was two days before the Haiti game. You’ve prepared so well. I was in such good condition and then something like that happens. You’re thinking, ‘How is this happening to me?’” he said.

He mentioned that despite the sudden medical issue, he had to stay focused and continue with his football duties.

“You have to get on with it, that’s the cards that you’re dealt in football. Sometimes, things don’t go your way,” McTominay said.

McTominay, who played for 90 minutes in Scotland’s losses to Morocco and Brazil, admitted that being in the hospital just before the opening match was not great.

“I was 100 per cent fit, but obviously, whenever 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?” he added.

He also thanked Napoli and the medical team that helped him during his recovery. He described the procedure in Manchester as successful.

He missed Scotland’s first four Nations League matches but is back playing for Napoli in local and UEFA Champions League games.

Feeling relieved about his recovery, the midfielder said he is feeling much better and thinks the procedure was needed.

“I’m good. I’m feeling much, much better than what I was. I feel like it was something that needed to be done. In your career, you have moments like that where things can take you a bit by surprise,” he said.

He explained that while news of his heart issue worried family, friends, and the media, the procedure itself was quite simple.

“Obviously, it looks a lot worse to people in the media and family and friends who reach out to you after they see news related to a heart issue, but it’s a relatively straightforward procedure, which went really, really well in Manchester,” McTominay said.

The midfielder added that getting back to football and proving himself again is his main goal.

“So just really happy to be back and playing football again. That’s the most important thing in my life and it always will be in terms of wanting to come back and prove myself again and making sure that I can go to another level,” he said.

McTominay is now back in Scotland’s squad ahead of their Nations League matches against North Macedonia on Friday and Switzerland on Monday.

He also emphasized his commitment to keep getting better, focusing on recovery, good nutrition, and discipline throughout his career.

“For me, it’s always about coming back stronger. No matter how well you play in one game, it’s about the next game and pushing yourself and recovering well and eating the right things, sleeping correctly throughout your career,” he said.