After scoring a brace in a 2-0 win over Torino—raising his tally to five goals in three games—the Scottish midfielder was asked during an on-field interview which moniker he preferred: MacGyver, McTerminator, McFratm, or Apribottiglie ("bottle opener" in Italian, referencing his knack for opening the scoring).
McTominay chose "McFratm", combining his Scottish surname with fratm, the Neapolitan slang for "brother," popularized by Napoli defender Pasquale Mazzocchi.
“Pasquale Mazzocchi would say Fratm, so McFratm,” McTominay said with a smile.
As Serie A humorously put it on X (formerly Twitter): "McBro for those who don't speak Napoletano."
Having joined Napoli from Manchester United last August—where he spent nearly two decades since the age of five—McTominay has quickly become the kind of powerful, goal-scoring midfielder that demanding coach Antonio Conte sought. Towering at 6-foot-4 (1.93 meters), he offers a rare blend of physical dominance and clinical finishing, whether by head or foot.
On Sunday against Torino, McTominay demonstrated his versatility, twice exploiting the space created by Romelu Lukaku's presence to net both goals with composed finishes.
With 11 Serie A goals this season, McTominay has now set a record for a Scottish player in Italy’s top flight, surpassing the legendary Denis Law, who scored 10 goals for Torino in the 1961–62 season. Law, the only Scottish player to ever win the Ballon d’Or, passed away in January at the age of 84.
“We don’t have many players capable of scoring in double digits,” Conte acknowledged. “We’ve had to work hard and take advantage of all of our resources.”
The victory over Torino propelled Napoli three points clear of Inter Milan with just four rounds left, putting them in a strong position to clinch their second Serie A title in three seasons. This would mark a quicker turnaround than the famed Diego Maradona-led Napoli, which won titles in 1987 and 1990 and the UEFA Cup in 1989.
“It would mean the world,” McTominay said. “But for us, it’s about not getting too high in this moment because obviously we’re now leading the race.”
It’s been a remarkable revival for Napoli, who finished a disappointing 10th last season and cycled through three different managers. Despite losing key stars like Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia earlier this season, McTominay’s impact has helped fill the void.
“You can see what type of player he is on the pitch,” said Napoli fullback Leonardo Spinazzola. “I can only say that he is a special guy, golden, always smiling and happy, an incredible worker. We are so lucky to have him.”
As Napoli chases glory, it’s clear that "McFratm" is much more than just a nickname—it’s a symbol of how McTominay has quickly become part of the club’s beating heart.