Scotland midfielder, Scott McTominay, has revealed that he received emergency treatment for an irregular heartbeat just 48 hours before his country’s opening match against Haiti at the FIFA World Cup in June.
The Napoli star said he underwent a procedure to regulate his heartbeat ahead of Scotland’s 1-0 victory over Haiti in Massachusetts, despite having completed months of preparations for the tournament.
McTominay, 29, recently underwent an ablation procedure in Manchester, a minimally invasive treatment used to correct abnormal heart rhythms.
Speaking to BBC Sport on Tuesday, the former Manchester United midfielder described the incident as an unexpected setback that left him questioning how such a health problem could occur after preparing thoroughly for the competition.
“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 explained that despite the circumstances, he had to accept the situation and remain focused on his professional responsibilities.
“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.
The midfielder, who also played the full 90 minutes in Scotland’s defeats to Morocco and Brazil, admitted that being admitted to hospital shortly before the tournament’s opening fixture was far from an ideal situation.
“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.
McTominay expressed appreciation to Napoli and the medical professionals who supported him during his recovery, describing his recent procedure in Manchester as successful.
He said he was now feeling much better and believed undergoing the treatment was the right decision.
“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.
The Scotland international noted that news of his heart condition had understandably caused concern among relatives, friends and members of the media, although the procedure itself was relatively straightforward.
“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.
He added that returning to competitive football and improving his performances remained his major priorities following the medical setback.
“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 has returned to Scotland’s squad ahead of their Nations League encounters against North Macedonia on Friday and Switzerland on Monday.
He also emphasised the importance of maintaining discipline, recovering properly and paying attention to nutrition and sleep as he seeks to improve 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.
