The 77th edition of the SJA British Sports Awards – the longest-established awards of their kind in Britain – will take place on Tuesday, November 11, 2025; for the second consecutive year, the Awards will be announced live on Sky Sports News; SJA members voted to decide the big three prizes on offer; our SJA Academy members made their cases for the awards…
By CALLUM MILNE
Since his move from Manchester to Naples, Scott McTominay has been majestic – and monumental in Napoli’s success in 2025.
Surely a mere £25m can’t be the price you pay for the winner of Serie A’s 2024/25 Most Valuable Player? But it was.
A first-half double at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium against Torino in April fired Napoli to the top of the table, and the Scotsman’s impact oozed the aura of a new hero.
Acrobatically poaching the lead for Gli Azzurri on the final matchday, he helped guide the club to only their fourth Serie A title, not to mention picking up May’s goal of the month for that scissor kick.
It’s supposed to take time to fit into a new team, a new country, and a new system – yet McTominay looks like he’s always belonged in bright blue.
The 28-year-old is arguably in the form of his life, with 12 league goals and four assists in a destructive debut season for a midfielder unable to thrive in a struggling and lifeless Manchester United.
Indeed, five league goals in April alone saw McTominay make history by becoming the first Scottish player to earn Serie A’s player of the month accolade.
A Ballon d’Or nomination, and a final ranking of 17th, underlined how he has earned deserved recognition from journalists across the globe, too.
Given the nickname ‘McFratm’ – a direct translation of McBrother – the Scotland international now shares the blood of the club.
His country also relied on him.
A UEFA Nations League tie away in a hostile Greek atmosphere could be a daunting occasion to volunteer for a spot kick.
Not for McTominay, though. The full-time score? 1-0 – his penalty being the difference.
Unsurprisingly, McTominay was also included in the Serie A team of the season: 2024/25, having started and completed each match in the final seven games of Napoli’s title charge – and only being subbed off twice without an injury.
Napoli’s title defence this season has opened with five wins from a possible six and McTominay has, unsurprisingly, collected a goal and an assist.
Far from being over, it is seemingly just beginning for him.
Callum Milne is a member of the SJA Academy for media professionals starting their careers. Click here to join.