McTominay Makes Ballon d'Or Shortlist After Napoli Triumph

Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay has been nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or award, capping a remarkable year following his move to Napoli. The nomination marks a significant milestone for the 28-year-old, who was instrumental in Napoli's Serie A title-winning campaign.

The winner of the prestigious award, which recognises the world's best footballer, will be announced on September 22nd. McTominay's inclusion among the 30 nominees is a testament to his transformative impact since departing Manchester United last year.

A Resurgence in Italy

After struggling for consistent playing time at Old Trafford, McTominay's £25 million transfer to Napoli proved to be a career-defining move. He quickly established himself as a key player in the heart of the Italian side's midfield, contributing significantly to their Scudetto triumph. His 12 goals in 34 league appearances earned him the Serie A Player of the Year award, solidifying his status as one of the league's top performers.

"McTominay's success at Napoli is a classic example of a player finding the right environment to thrive," says Italian football journalist Mina Rzouki. "He was always a capable player, but the tactical system and the faith shown in him at Napoli allowed him to unlock his full potential. He became a complete midfielder, contributing defensively and offensively."

Ending a Scottish Drought

McTominay's nomination breaks a long drought for Scottish football, as he becomes the first Scot to be shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or since Ally McCoist in 1987. This achievement underscores the rising profile of Scottish players on the European stage.

The Contenders

While McTominay's nomination is a cause for celebration, he faces stiff competition for the Ballon d'Or. Paris St-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele is considered a leading contender after a stellar season that culminated in Champions League victory. Barcelona's young star Lamine Yamal and his Brazilian teammate Raphinha are also strong candidates following their La Liga triumph.

Other notable nominees include Erling Haaland, who despite missing a portion of the season, remains a formidable goal-scoring threat, and Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Viktor Gyokeres. Liverpool are well-represented with Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah all receiving nominations. Cole Palmer is the sole Chelsea player on the list.

Full List of Nominees

Ousmane Dembele (Paris St-Germain) Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris St-Germain) Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) Desire Doue (Paris St-Germain) Denzel Dumfries (Inter) Serhou Guirassy (Dortmund) Erling Haaland (Manchester City) Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal) Achraf Hakimi (Paris St-Germain) Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris St-Germain) Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) Lautaro Martinez (Inter) Scott McTominay (Napoli) Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) Nuno Mendes (Paris St-Germain) Joao Neves (Paris St-Germain) Pedri (Barcelona) Cole Palmer (Chelsea) Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) Raphinha (Barcelona) Declan Rice (Arsenal) Fabian Ruiz (Paris St-Germain) Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid) Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) Vitinha (Paris St-Germain) Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

Other Awards

In addition to the Ballon d'Or, nominations for other awards were also announced:

Men's Club of the Year Nominees:

Barcelona Botafogo Chelsea Liverpool Paris St-Germain

Johan Cruyff Trophy (Best Male Coach) Nominees:

Antonio Conte (Napoli) Luis Enrique (PSG) Hansi Flick (Barcelona) Enzo Maresca (Chelsea) Arne Slot (Liverpool)

Yashin Trophy (Best Male Goalkeeper) Nominees:

Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa and Argentina) Alisson Becker (Liverpool and Brazil) Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal and Morocco) Lucas Chevalier (Lille and France) Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid and Belgium) Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG and Italy) Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid and Slovenia) David Raya (Arsenal and Spain) Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest and Belgium) Yann Sommer (Inter Milan and Switzerland)

Kopa Trophy (Best Male Player Under 21) Nominees:

Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona and Spain) Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille and France) Desire Doue (PSG and France) Estevao (Chelsea and Brazil) Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid and Spain) Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal and England) Rodrigo Mora (Porto and Portugal) Joao Neves (PSG and Portugal) Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain) Kenan Yildiz (Juventus and Turkey)

A Moment of Pride for Scotland

Whether McTominay wins the Ballon d'Or or not, his nomination represents a significant achievement and a source of pride for Scottish football. His journey from Manchester United to Serie A champion demonstrates the importance of opportunity and the potential for players to flourish in the right environment.

"This nomination is a huge boost for Scottish football," adds Rzouki. "It shows that Scottish players can compete at the highest level and make a significant impact on the biggest stages. McTominay's success story should inspire young Scottish players to dream big and believe in their potential."