Recognised for his immense contributions both on and off the pitch, Dupont received the prestigious accolade from French President Emmanuel Macron during a special ceremony over the weekend. The honour was part of a broader celebration recognising athletes from the French Olympic team, including those from the gold medal-winning sevens squad.
Receiving the Legion d'Honneur is a milestone that transcends the realm of sport, and Dupont noted that the award "goes beyond the context of rugby". The 27-year-old Toulouse scrum-half joins an elite list of figures, including global icons like Zinedine Zidane and Luciano Pavarotti, who have also been honoured with the award. In the company of names that resonate across Europe, the award demonstrates the weight of Dupont’s contribution to the game.
A Championship Legend
This latest accolade adds to Dupont’s glittering career, much of which has been built around his performances in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations. The French captain has been a consistent force, known for his awesome pound-for-pound strength, speed, intelligence, and game-changing abilities. Over the years, Dupont has claimed multiple Player of the Championship titles, cementing his status as one of the most influential players in the tournament’s history.
His pivotal role in leading France to their first Grand Slam in over a decade in 2022 is still fresh in the minds of rugby fans. Dupont's ability to control the tempo of games, combined with his leadership on the field, made him instrumental in France's success. That year, his performances were so exceptional that he was named Player of the Championship, a title he had already claimed in 2020. He would back it up by claiming the award again in 2023.
An inspiration beyond the game
Dupont had already transcended his sport before the Olympics, featuring on the cover of fashion magazines and working with world-famous brands such as Louis Vuitton. All the while, he has maintained his grasp on the oar of ‘world’s greatest rugby player’ – along with a select handful of others – even pushing himself to new levels, which was epitomised in his foray into rugby sevens. Winning Olympic gold would have gone some way to exorcising the ghosts of crashing out at the same Stade de France venue during last year’s Rugby World Cup.
When will Antoine Dupont return?
French fans will now hope Dupont returns to the French XV for this November’s Autumn Nations Series – when they host Japan, New Zealand and Argentina – bringing his golden touch to a side that struggled somewhat in his absence during this year’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations.
Speaking at a recent Toulouse game, he told media: "I'm going to be back on the pitch and training with the group soon. It will be early October, mid-October. I think that as soon as I step back onto the pitch, the motivation will come by itself."
For many, that return can't come soon enough.
