Ex Manchester United Midfielder Scott McTominay Nominated For 2025 Ballon D’or After Departing Old Trafford Last Summer—-Scotland international Scott McTominay has been nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or after moving from Old Trafford last summer to join Napoli where he scored 16 goals in 48 matches to win the Scudetto.

Reports confirm that the 28-year-old is a candidate for the prestigious award previously won by legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Ballon d’Or is designed to honour the best footballer in the world and McTominay’s title win in Italy has earned him a nomination alongside some of the sport’s most illustrious names. Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele is among the favourites to win the award along with Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal.

Since leaving Manchester United last August, McTominay’s career has reached a different level. He was already popular among the Tartan Army for a string of dominant displays and important goals in a Scotland shirt. However, he has taken Italy by storm and is now one of the most dangerous players in Serie A.

The player credited Scotland coach Steve Clarke with helping to change his mindset last year as he struggled to get into the team at Old Trafford. “That was the camp where the manager and I sat down and he said that I didn’t look happy, that I didn’t look like I was smiling about the place,” said McTominay. “I thought: ‘Maybe he’s right.’ I went and spoke to my mum, my dad, my girlfriend at the time and they all pretty much said the same thing.

“Sometimes you just need to enjoy football and play with a smile on your face and take it easy. Not everything’s the end of the world if you’re not playing so well and you’re not in the team. Ever since that, I’ve just thought: ‘Let’s go for it.’ It was a weight lifted off my shoulders. It shows you that by speaking to someone – especially the manager because he’s honest and he’ll tell you up front – it can make a significant difference.