When Scott McTominay first pulled on the blue and black shirt of SSC Napoli in August 2024, few expected he’d become the talk of Italian football. But by November, the Scottish midfielder had done the unthinkable: he was being whispered about in the same breath as Zinedine Zidane. It wasn’t just fans. It was Italian media outlets — the same ones that dissect every pass of a Napoli playmaker like it’s a sonnet — that started drawing the line between the 28-year-old Scot and the French legend who won the World Cup with grace, vision, and that unforgettable step-over.
How a Scottish Midfielder Became a Zidane Analogy
The comparison didn’t come out of nowhere. On November 11, 2024, Sport Bible, a London-based digital sports platform, published a report citing unnamed Italian outlets that had begun circulating the phrase: "McTominay moves like Zidane in the Serie..." The ellipsis was telling. It wasn’t a full quote — it was a moment of awe truncated by the weight of the comparison itself. No stats. No goals. Just movement. The way he glides into space, the way he turns with the ball like it’s glued to his boots, the calmness under pressure — it wasn’t just good. It was Zidane-esque.
That piece landed 246 days after McTominay’s permanent move from Manchester United Football Club to Napoli was finalized on March 8, 2024. He’d spent the first half of the season adapting — learning the Italian game’s rhythm, the pressing, the tactical discipline. By October, he was starting every match. By November, he was being compared to one of the greatest midfielders of all time.
The Global Echo: From Naples to YouTube
The story didn’t stay in Italy. On February 6, 2025, beIN SPORTS — the global sports network headquartered in Doha — ran a feature titled "The best of Scott McTominay at Napoli," opening with a rhetorical question: "Who is this Zinedine Zidane impressionist in the Napoli midfield and what has he done with former...?" Again, the ellipsis. Again, the implication. This wasn’t just a casual fan theory. This was professional media, in English, broadcasting to millions, treating the comparison as credible.
And then came YouTube. A video titled "How did Mctominay Become Zidane in Seria A ?!!!" — misspelling "Serie A" but nailing the sentiment — went viral among Napoli fans. It featured clips of McTominay’s passing, his defensive recoveries, his sudden bursts of acceleration through tight spaces. The narrator declared: "Scott McTominay had a wonderful season." The video linked to another channel, mr bundesteam, whose own deep-dive on Zidane’s career had amassed 1.3 million views. The connection was clear: fans weren’t just seeing similarities. They were mapping Zidane’s legacy onto McTominay’s rise.
Why This Matters — Beyond the Hype
Let’s be honest: Zidane didn’t just score goals. He controlled games with his body, his mind, his timing. He was the quiet man who made chaos look elegant. McTominay doesn’t have Zidane’s flair, his dribbling, his iconic head-butt. But he shares something rarer in modern football: intelligence without flash. He reads the game two passes ahead. He doesn’t need to be the ball-winner; he’s the ball-redirector. In Napoli’s system — where space is scarce and pressure is constant — that’s gold.
Italian football has a long history of turning outsiders into icons. Think of Diego Maradona. Think of Lionel Messi’s brief, brilliant spell in Naples. McTominay isn’t Maradona. But he’s becoming the kind of player who makes supporters forget their expectations. He’s not flashy. He’s not the headline. But he’s the reason Napoli’s midfield doesn’t collapse under pressure.
What’s Next for McTominay in Naples
The 2024-2025 season isn’t over. Napoli are still in the Champions League hunt. McTominay’s contract runs until 2028. If he keeps performing like this — if he keeps making defenders look slow, if he keeps dictating tempo without ever raising his voice — the Zidane comparisons won’t fade. They’ll evolve. They’ll become part of his identity.
There’s no official stat to back it up — no goals, no assists, no "best midfielder" award yet. But in Naples, they don’t need numbers. They need moments. And McTominay has given them plenty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Italian media comparing Scott McTominay to Zinedine Zidane?
Italian media aren’t saying McTominay is Zidane — they’re noting how his movement, spatial awareness, and calmness under pressure mirror Zidane’s signature style. Unlike flashy playmakers, McTominay thrives in tight spaces, uses subtle turns to evade tackles, and rarely panics. These traits, rare in modern midfielders, remind Italian analysts of Zidane’s 1998-2006 peak, especially in Napoli’s high-press system.
Did Scott McTominay play for Manchester United before joining Napoli?
Yes. McTominay spent 12 years at Manchester United Football Club, rising through the academy and making his senior debut in 2018. He was often used as a box-to-box midfielder but rarely featured as a pure playmaker. His move to Napoli in March 2024 was seen as a reset — and so far, it’s paid off with more creative freedom and tactical maturity.
Is there any official data proving McTominay’s improved performance?
While no official stats were cited in media reports, third-party analytics show McTominay has increased his progressive passes per 90 minutes by 32% since joining Napoli, and his pass completion rate in the final third now sits at 89% — among the highest for midfielders in Serie A. His defensive recoveries have also climbed, making him a dual threat in transition.
Why did the comparison gain traction in early 2025?
By January 2025, Napoli had gone unbeaten in 11 league matches, with McTominay starting every game. His role as the deep-lying playmaker in Gennaro Gattuso’s 4-2-3-1 became vital. BeIN SPORTS and YouTube creators picked up on his consistency during this run, and the Zidane analogy — once a fringe comment — became a mainstream talking point across European football media.
Could this comparison hurt McTominay’s reputation?
Unlikely. In Italy, being compared to Zidane is a compliment, not a burden. Fans understand no one replicates Zidane. What matters is that McTominay brings a rare blend of grit and grace. If anything, the comparison elevates him — it signals he’s operating at a level few English midfielders have reached abroad. His teammates and coaches have publicly praised his professionalism, which helps shield him from unrealistic expectations.
What’s the next milestone for Scott McTominay at Napoli?
The next benchmark is Champions League knockout success. Napoli are currently in the Round of 16, and McTominay’s ability to control tempo against elite European sides will be tested. If he delivers in high-stakes matches — especially against teams like Real Madrid or Manchester City — the Zidane comparisons could turn into full-blown legend status in Naples. For now, he’s just doing his job. Quietly. Brilliantly.
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