Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay, the hero of Napoli’s fourth Scudetto with a stunning bicycle kick against Cagliari, doesn’t go by his real name in the city anymore. Locals now call him “McFratm”, a nickname that blends his surname with the Neapolitan word fratm, meaning “my brother” in Italian. He’s fully integrated since arriving in the summer of 2024, and his name is now etched into club history.

From unwanted in England to a legend in Naples

Signed from Manchester United for around €30 million, McTominay has proven to be one of the Premier League side’s biggest recent mistakes. His impact in Italy has gone beyond what his already impressive stats suggest. He owned the midfield under Antonio Conte, who managed to bring out the best in him — turning him into a complete player: a box-to-box presence, organizer, aerial threat, and defensively committed.

That bicycle kick in the 42nd minute against Cagliari sent the city into a frenzy and sealed the title in unforgettable fashion. It capped off a brilliant season in which he racked up 12 goals and 4 assists in Serie A, plus another goal in the Coppa Italia. His performances rightfully earned him the 2024–25 Serie A Player of the Season award.

A powerful duo with Lukaku

Alongside Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, McTominay formed a deadly partnership. Lukaku ended the season with 14 goals and 10 assists (one more including the Coppa Italia), and together with McTominay, they carried much of the team’s attacking load. The duo combined for 26 goals and 14 assists — a massive contribution to Napoli’s title run.

His quick connection with such a culturally different city — a tall, blonde, blue-eyed player in a place where darker features and shorter height are the norm — made the story even more remarkable. He fit in so well that viral videos even showed his personal chef shutting down rumors about poor diet. He was never out of shape — the pitch did the talking. McTominay is now a Napoli legend.