McTominay: Inter Aren't Stronger Than Napoli, I'd Consider Real Madrid If Mourinho Calls

Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay sat down for an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. During the conversation, he discussed a wide range of topics including his upcoming heart surgery for benign arrhythmia, comparisons between Napoli and Inter, the Champions League, Allegri, Ferguson, and José Mourinho.

Preamble

His face was slightly tanned and his eyes carried a smile. He wore training kit and remained composed and calm. Scott McTominay had just learned he would need heart surgery, yet his composure somewhat surprised us. He approached the interview as if nothing were wrong. He has benign arrhythmia, a condition discovered not long ago. He will undergo ablation surgery to restore his heart to a normal rhythm.

Are you worried?

No, this is something I have to face. I just found out about the surgery, but we'll see each other again soon, very soon. And I'll come back stronger than before.

You have Inter and Arsenal coming up soon—clearly not good timing.

That's right. I always want to contribute to my team, but some things you can't predict or control. My teammates will stay focused, and Inter are not stronger than us.

You also had physical issues during the World Cup.

Yes, that was much harder. Two days before our first match, I was feeling unwell and wasn't sure if I could play. It was very difficult to prepare mentally for that match. After that, the high temperatures made things even tougher. Looking back now, it remains a major regret in my career.

What's your earliest childhood memory?

I had a very happy childhood with my family. I was playing sports from a young age, and all my memories are happy ones.

Do you have any special memories?

Football. I was always playing—at home, on the streets, everywhere. I wasn't as tall or strong as I am now, and the balls I played with back then were about my size.

Now imagine a place you love where you can relax. Where would that be?

I'd be playing golf.

You always prioritize body recovery—red light therapy, ice baths, sleep, and recovery lenses.

When I'm not training, I recover at home and do my best to keep my body in optimal condition. This is very important in football.

Now you have to face Inter, but you won't be able to play.

It's unfortunate. It's an important match and a huge challenge. We need to go there confident we can win. We've beaten them before, so there's no reason we can't do it again.

Perhaps it's because Inter have a stronger squad?

No. I won't sit here and say another team is stronger than us or has better players than we do, because that's not how I see football. Admitting such things is showing weakness.

If you could take one player from Inter's squad, who would it be?

Just one?! Then I'd pick Lautaro. He scores a lot of goals.

From Conte to Allegri—what's changed?

They're different types of managers. Conte was very focused on tactics, and we trained a lot. I had a really good two years with him. He's excellent and someone accustomed to winning consistently. What happens under the new manager, time will tell. But so far, he's a good man with good tactical ideas. We just need a bit of time to actually implement these ideas on the pitch and improve our performance.

What are Napoli's goals this season?

For now, we hope to continue progressing in the Champions League, which is very important for us.

Are you still in contact with Ferguson?

The last time we spoke on the phone was a year ago. He's a very busy man, but I'm confident that if I need him, he'll help me.

You made your Premier League debut under José Mourinho. If he called you to Real Madrid, would you go?

If that were to actually happen, I would consider it.

Between pizza, the sea, and sunshine, what do you like most?

I don't eat pizza. Since coming to Napoli, I've only had it once. The sea, on the other hand, I really love. But with the recent high temperatures, spending too long in the sun could lead to dehydration. If you're training every day, that's not good for recovery.

You'll miss the Arsenal Champions League match, but not the Manchester City derby.

Every Champions League match is difficult. This season our manager is handling these types of matches more flexibly, which will be a big help for us.

Can McTominay and De Bruyne play together?

Of course. Kevin is excellent, and we know each other very well. Our relationship off the pitch is also very good, which helps. Ultimately, it comes down to the manager's choice and what lineup he decides on.

Some of your goals have been masterpieces, like bicycle kicks.

I only attempt a bicycle kick when the timing feels right. I don't do it to show off or just to score a fancy goal.

You've previously reassured fans through social media. Do you use social media often?

I don't have social media apps on my phone. Wise people don't feel the need to seek likes or dislikes from others.

How do you prioritize family, football, and your girlfriend?

I want to have kids soon.

How many group chats do you have on your phone?

Too many. But I'm not great with my phone. The only people I actively message and reply to are my mum and my girlfriend.

What's your most beautiful goal?

A goal that helped my team win the league title. I'll never forget it.

Do you consider yourself a leader?

My style isn't about shouting a lot. I set high standards for my team, demand constant improvement, and make sure all the details are in place. I don't like too much laughing or joking during training. So yes, I consider myself a leader, but the team has other leaders too.