'The Lionel Messi of Rugby': Is Antoine Dupont the GOAT?

European Rugby Cup, Top 14, Olympic Games… Antoine Dupont won everything this year. The French XV scrum-half impressed in all aspects, to the point of being compared to the best of all time by rugby experts across the world.

On Rugby Pass TV, former Scottish international Jim Hamilton was effusive on May 25, saying: “He is the best player of all time.”

Now a consultant for Scottish TV, he explains, “How good is it to witness the Lionel Messi of rugby, Antoine Dupont. What we have just seen shows that he is the best player of his generation. He is the best player in the history of rugby, no one will be able to change my mind about the influence he had on this match, his management of turnovers and his kicks in the box... He is absolutely phenomenal.”

It is true that in 2024, Antoine Dupont has been absolutely impressive. Voted best player in the European Cup final against Leinster, the best player in the Top 14 final against Bordeaux, he is as stratospheric in defense as in attack, with his feet and with the ball in hand.

For his part, former France international, Vincent Clerc is impressed by his versatility: “We have rarely had a player at this level, who has few or no weaknesses. Everything he does is mastered,” reports FranceTV.

However, the former French international recognizes it: “It is much too early to talk about the best player in history. He is only halfway through his career.”

As for the New Zealand and South African press, the observation is clear: Antoine Dupont is not the GOAT… far from it. For this, the Frenchman must go for a World Cup and, above all, he must go and beat the All Blacks and the Springboks at home, in hostile territory.

We compare him to Dan Carter, but the New Zealander's track record is much more extensive: six Tri-Nations, two Rugby Championships, two World Cups, two Top 14s, four-time winner of the Super 12/14... his rugby resume is second to none.

Antoine Dupont has also won titles, but far fewer on the international stage, so far in his career the Frenchman has won four Top 14s, two European Cups, an Olympic 7s gold medal and a Six Nations tournament.

If Dupont's impact is undeniable, the Frenchman has not yet achieved the aura of Jonah Lomu or David Campese. He doesn't have the inevitability of a Richie McCaw or the class of a Jonny Wilkinson.

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However, we cannot deny that we have rarely seen a player so strong, complete and perfect in all areas. If Antoine Dupont perpetuates his domination of European rugby and wins away in the Southern Hemisphere, he could become the GOAT... but he is still far from it!