In Naples, the club’s supporters have warmly started calling him “MacFratm.”
Could Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay have imagined that the dream he chased when leaving behind a familiar home of over two decades to join Napoli nine months ago would come true so quickly—in his debut season, no less? He didn’t take long to win the hearts of the fans at his new club. On the decisive day for the Serie A title, he shone brilliantly. After scoring a stunning goal that helped push his team closer to the trophy, he was also named the Serie A Player of the Season.
Napoli took the league fate into their own hands and stepped onto the pitch on Friday for the final round against Cagliari. Dominating the game throughout, they secured a 2-0 win and lifted the trophy.
In the 42nd minute, McTominay received a cross inside the box and, with a perfectly timed acrobatic volley, put Napoli ahead. In the second half, Romelu Lukaku added another fantastic goal.
As the match ended, emotions overwhelmed McTominay. He sat down on the pitch, tears of joy streaming down his face. He said the title was the result of the team’s tireless hard work.
“Every single player in this team has made incredible sacrifices. These people deserve this — they have stood by us from day one. For me, coming here and enjoying this success feels like a dream.”
Napoli’s fans have taken to calling him “MacFratm,” combining his name with the Neapolitan word “fratm,” meaning “my brother.”
Most of his teammates, coach Antonio Conte, and many others around him speak Italian, so McTominay definitely faces a language barrier. But in the universal language of football, he has overcome that obstacle with ease.
“My Italian is okay. I understand it, but speaking it requires more confidence, and it’s not easy. It’s actually easier with people who don’t speak English. I feel a lot of love from everyone.”
He has mastered two important Italian words that now matter most:
“‘Festeggiamo, andiamo,’ which means ‘Come on, let’s celebrate.’”
After ending a 22-year chapter with Manchester United, McTominay joined Napoli last August for a transfer fee of £25 million. In his debut Serie A season, he played 34 matches, scored 12 goals, and provided 6 assists.
For his consistent performance and vital role in the team’s success, he was honored as the 2024-25 Serie A Most Valuable Player.
