Has a Scottish player ever won the Ballon d'Or? Scot McTominay set for nomination after starring for Napoli

Scott McTominay's incredible rise in Serie A is set to chart another high.

Following his influential role in Napoli's Scudetto success, the Scotland midfielder is reportedly in line for a place on the Ballon d'Or nominations list.

A country with a rich and long football history, Scotland has not traditionally been well-represented when it comes to the game's biggest individual prize.

But McTominay could be following in the footsteps of a Manchester United legend, a year on from his career taking off upon leaving Old Trafford.

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Has a Scottish player ever won the Ballon d'Or?

Denis Law is Scotland's only Ballon d'Or winner after he took the prize in 1964.

Law stood atop the podium to collect the ninth edition of the award, ahead of Inter Milan's Luis Suarez and Real Madrid's Amancio.

It marked the beginning of a phenomenal run of success for Manchester United players at the Ballon d'Or. Bobby Charlton triumphed in 1966 after England's World Cup success, while George Best was the final member of United's 'Holy Trinity' to win the prize in 1968 after Sir Matt Busby's side beat Benfica at Wembley to lift their maiden European Cup.

Charlton finished second in 1967 and 1968. In the former year, when Ferencvaros' Florian Albert was crowned the best player in Europe, Celtic's Jimmy Johnstone came third in the voting after Jock Stein's 'Lisbon Lions' beat Inter Milan to win the European Cup.

Law and Johnstone account for two of Scotland's three top-three finishes. The most recent came when Liverpool great Kenny Dalglish finished second behind Michel Platini in 1983 — 23 years before McTominay was born.

Scott McTominay Napoli stats for 2024/25 season

Antonio Conte imparted a Premier League flavour to his triumphant Napoli team in midfield, with Billy Gilmour and Philip Billing also collecting Scudetto medals.

But the €30.5 million spent on McTominay proved pivotal. 

Granted license to rove forward from an attacking midfield role — freedom generally denied to him at Old Trafford – the 28-year-old scored 12 goals in 34 Serie A appearances and also provided four assists.

He was crowned Serie A's Most Valuable Player for his performances in 2024/25.

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When is the Ballon d'Or?

The 2025 Ballon d'Or will be presented at a ceremony in Paris on September 22.