Scott McTominay has received the ultimate praise from Diego Maradona’s son, having been described as the most important player in Napoli's history after the Argentinian icon. Despite his short time in Italy, McTominay has already attained legendary status in Naples.
The 29-year-old left his boyhood club Manchester United in the summer of 2024, signing for a Napoli team that last clinched the Scudetto in 2023 - 34 years after Maradona carried them to their previous triumph. Despite his clear untapped potential, few would have predicted the Scotland international to have such an extraordinary first season in Campania. McTominay netted 12 goals and provided six assists in the 2024/25 campaign, winning the Scudetto in his first season with Napoli. That earned him cult-hero status, a Ballon d'Or ranking and the Serie A Player of the Year award.
But it also left those associated with United ruing the huge error they made in allowing McTominay to depart for a modest fee of £25million. Diego Armando Maradona Junior, Maradona's son, has now added insult to injury by likening McTominay to Jesus Christ in extraordinarily high praise of the Scot.
He told Televomero: "After my father, McTominay is the most influential player in the history of Napoli. We had God at Napoli in the form of Diego but for me McTominay is Jesus. He is a completely fundamental player."
Maradona is worshipped in Napoli, with murals scattered throughout the city paying tribute to the 1986 World Cup winner. McTominay has already begun to experience a taste of that adoration, having been immortalised with a shrine built in his honour.
Napoli are unlikely to retain their title this season as they currently trail Inter Milan by seven points with just eight matches remaining. Nonetheless, McTominay has continued to be a key figure for Antonio Conte's team, scoring seven in the league and 11 in all competitions through his box-to-box midfield role.
Discussing how he's developed since playing in Serie A, McTominay said: "At Napoli, I grew both from a tactical and a physical point of view. Tactically, Italy is different from the Premier League.
"I had to adapt and learn very quickly how to play, what movements to make, how to free myself, how to become a problem in the opponent's area and also how to defend. A nice learning curve and I enjoyed every minute."