Quick look: 43012 Cristiano Ronaldo – Football Highlights
Posted by Huw,
Madeiran footballer Ronaldo is perhaps the best known and certainly one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, having scored over 960 goals during his 24-year career.
At the age of 41 he still captains the Portuguese national team and his Saudi Arabian club team Al-Nassr.
A fitting subject, then, to be included in the range of Football-related sets that are set to be released next month.
Summary
43012 Cristiano Ronaldo – Football Highlights, 490 pieces.
£24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99 | 5.1p, 6.1c, 6.1c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Better than I expected it to be!
- Excellent minifigure
- You need not be a football fan to enjoy it
- Great value for money
- None
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
It's hard to tell from the official images just how deep front-to-back the model is, and it's certainly larger than I expected it to be. What appears to be fairly cramped is actually quite spread out.
The striker is positioned doing an explosive bicycle kick, against a backdrop of the mountainous Atlantic island he hails from, and upon a pitch in the shape of his initials coloured to match the Portuguese flag.
Siuu! is a celebratory shout that he made famous, which comes from the Portuguese expression “sim!”, which means “yes!”. The decorated 2x6 tile is printed and appears to be showing some sort of player rating like a Top Trumps card: quite fast, excellent at scoring goals and with good skills.
The minifigure is attired in the Portuguese national team's kit of green shorts and red shirt, and he's wearing the captain's armband. His head has two expressions: open-mouthed neutral, and exasperated as if he's just missed the goal, or disagreeing with the referee's decision!
Minifigures in the Editions sets have we reviewed so far have been just about as good as they get, and this one is no exception, with printing front and back, on an arm, and with dual-moulded legs printed on their front and sides. If only certain other licenced themes had the will and/or budget to lavish such care and attention on their minifigures...
As someone who doesn't really know Ronaldo from Ronaldinho I was not expecting to think much of these football sets, but this one has easily surpassed my low expectations. The vignette is very well-designed, taking every opportunity to represent the player and his heritage, the minifigure is top-notch, and best of all, it seems excellent value for money compared to many licenced sets of this size [1].
An awesome minifigure and c.500 pieces for just £24.99, $29.99, €29.99. What's not to like!
$30 buys you a 200-piece Star Wars set if you're lucky. A 500 piece Star Wars set will set you back at least $60.
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66 comments on this article
*exasperated as if he's just missed the goal, or disagreeing with the referee's decision*
Most likely the latter . . .
*As someone who doesn't really know Ronaldo from Ronaldinho*
~Which~ Ronaldo?
OK... I'll get it!
The second expression of the head is not exasperated, it is just an expression of siuu!
I am a massive football fan (not necessarily a Ronaldo fan, though). I admit I don't get these sets; they are clearly not for me. I don't really care about minifigs of any kind, and I don't find these sets particularly interesting as display pieces nor as a build experience.
But hey, that's just me! I am sure these will sell well, and I agree you seem to get quite a bit for the money. Maybe I should reconsider these sets as part packs?
In the positives, you should have included: It's Ronaldo!
In the negatives, you should have included: It's Ronaldo!
It is good they did him in the Portuguese kit, as it stops the complaints about should it have been his current club Al-Nassr, or Man Utd or Real or even Juve. But a shame that the Ronaldo branding is all over the kit torso and legs so you cannot build a team out of them.
Unfortunately I think there's one major problem with these, and it's that the minifigures are treated as "celebrity" minifigures, right down to the skin tone on the collar and the nickname on the boots—that (and the number on the front, which is less avoidable) means that these football kits are only good for one minifigure each. Surely the only reason to ever make this is so you can get 11 and make a full team? You can't even do that! Mad. And such a shame because as a youngster I would have absolutely loved this—nearly.
Out of all the football highlights this one seems to have the most colour, energy and excitement, centered around the iconic bicycle kick. Glad you explained the island back drop as would never have guessed. The minifig also looks so much like him, definitely an impulse buy and more affordable and fun than the large scale Messi sets.
@Huw, I thought You know better Europe geography! :P That "atlantic island" is a beautiful Madeira, where Cristiano was born.
Football info: Bicycle shot is from 2018 when he scored in champions league for real madrid against Juventus (with famous goalkeeper Buffon).
Cristiano is often angry and presumptuous but second face expression is for making goal celebration Siuuu.
Cons: buffoonery!
I have exactly zero understanding of this vignette. How would a non-football fan (such as myself) appreciate it, when it's a just bunch of random Ronaldo-related stuff in a weird non-aesthetic shape?
As a football fan: I like this set, minifig is amazing and price is very nice. I'm glad Lego did this and Messi diorama. Both are trully sport legends despite you like them or not and GOOD idols of kids.
What I dislike (and will repeat in future) are sets with mbape and vinicius which are good players but very poor examples for kids. Both trying to cheat in every game and having zero honesty/fair play in them. Glorification them is awful.
@Briczk said:
" @Huw , I thought You know better Europe geography! :P That "atlantic island" is a beautiful Madeira, where Cristiano was born.."
I know, it's an Atlantic island. I thought your geography was better :-)
Why would you? Clearly not set for you. Not every set is for everyone. It's only side effect if set is appealing even for ppl which are not target audience.
For example I do like a lot Luigi Cart and don't care at all about Mario/Games thing.
@Briczk said:
" @Huw, I thought You know better Europe geography! :P That "atlantic island" is a beautiful Madeira, where Cristiano was born."
That is mentioned in the first sentence.
I can't see the appeal to non-football fans, other than the surprisingly reasonable price. Generally dislike anything connected to FIFA as they seem to be a bunch of crooks, but I guess money talks!
@Briczk said:
" @Huw, I thought You know better Europe geography! :P That "atlantic island" is a beautiful Madeira, where Cristiano was born."
Yes, and Madeira is in the Atlantic ocean. What’s your point?
I don't know, man. Managing to slip on lava is a spectacularly unexpected failure, but is it a highlight?
Does anyone else have not positive feelings about they way Saudi Arabia pays rich global celebrities to promote their country?
Just realized this is not a comment about this set. I don't like the set. Probably because I can't really stand to watch or engage with any type of professional sports. All of them are basically the same, rich guys chasing their balls.
@Briczk said:
"As a football fan: I like this set, minifig is amazing and price is very nice. I'm glad Lego did this and Messi diorama. Both are trully sport legends despite you like them or not and GOOD idols of kids."
Can't speak on Messi's behalf but man, Ronaldo is absolutely *not* someone I would say is a good idol for kids or who should be within ten feet of being in a Lego set considering the elephant in the room of [redacted]. Listing the cons of this set as "none" feels wild with that all considered, sure the value may be there but is it *really* worth it for the moral tradeoff?
George Best, Bobby Moore.
Football knowledge totally exhausted...
This and the F1 helmet show what LEGO can do, but simply doesn't want to do for other themes. Or maybe it's just that the quality and value is there only when forced by the license holder? We'll never know...
There's this interesting trend emerging for LEGO sets to be display items rather than toys. So they're "things to put on a shelf and look at". A lot of the marvel sets are like that now, they come with a display base and it's like you're just expected to look at them.
@benredstar said:
"There's this interesting trend emerging for LEGO sets to be display items rather than toys. So they're "things to put on a shelf and look at". A lot of the marvel sets are like that now, they come with a display base and it's like you're just expected to look at them. "
So true. There are more and more display sets each year. I guess Lego sells better to adults than kids. I cannot complain though, I stepped into wonderful world of MOCing. I do my own thing rather than buying new.
Did someone really say Ronaldo is a GOOD idol for kids? Oh my word.
This is one of the worst looking sets. I'm just so surprised to see "none" under the negative column.
Licensed set that is excellent value for money. Perhaps it shows how much the Disney tax is.
And unlike others I don't look at a set and my first opinion is "how can I be offended by it".
@classicstylecastle said:
"I can't see the appeal to non-football fans, other than the surprisingly reasonable price. Generally dislike anything connected to FIFA as they seem to be a bunch of crooks, but I guess money talks!
"
Don't think this is anything related to the FIFA licence. I assume the licence is directly with the player and not through FIFA.
I mean, at first, I thought I’ve never heard of this F1 driver. But then I realised it’s a soccer player. And just have no idea what’s going on in this set. What’s with the flames?
@Huw said:
" @Briczk said:
" @Huw , I thought You know better Europe geography! :P That "atlantic island" is a beautiful Madeira, where Cristiano was born.."
I know, it's an Atlantic island. I thought your geography was better :-)
"
I apologize if You didn't edit. Started reading from "summary" and I thought you don't know name of the island. :D
@ThunderCracker81 @classicstylecastle
So this has all printes and dual moulded legs? But a €1,000 Death Star does not????
@leetshoe said:
"This is one of the worst looking sets. I'm just so surprised to see "none" under the negative column. "
I have the opposite opinion. I have no interest in this person (and against glorification) or this sport, but I find that it’s a very nice way to display a minifig. Much better than a black 3x4 tile or a frame with 48 minifigs. And it’s better looking than any technic sets, etc.
@leetshoe said:
"This is one of the worst looking sets. I'm just so surprised to see "none" under the negative column. "
Ok, so you don't like it. That's ok, neither do I. But that is not really something to capture under 'negative,' is it?
Aspects to capture there are, e.g., price (per piece or absolute), whether it easily falls apart, boring build, issues with play features etc. Doesn't seem to be the case here (ok, no play features but it is a display set)
Or, related to "worst looking set" issues such as too cluttered, or if the composition of the different parts makes no sense. Huw doesn't seem to have detected any such issues. So, therefore 'none' makes perfect sense.
You still don't like it? Well, that is still ok ;)
@Ayliffe and some ppl hating CR7:
I'm not Ronaldo fan but I can see how much hard work he did to achieve his goals. I respect that from "sport point" of view. There are not many crystal clear famous footballers. If we compare Ronaldo for example to Maradonna (which for my dad generation were legendary), person which obviously abused every possible substance, then yes - Ronaldo and his healthy style of life can be example for many. Doesn't mean everything he did in his life is pure :)
As expected, americans criticising the set or the player because football is far more popular than their football.
The cost benefit is amazing but I'm not interested, not even in Messi sets, who is my favorite player. And as a Brazilian I'm happy that Neymar was left out.
The whole thing just seems messy to me. It somehow manages to both be too big, and also too cluttered with elements that don't go together. The base is supposed to be an island I guess? But it's ALSO a giant R? The "Siuu" sign is just stuck on there like the designer thought of it at the last minute and thought it would be cool. The worst part is the giant CR7 which overpowers the entire thing. Get rid of that, and it would look much nicer and more cohesive.
Also, maybe it's just the angle of the photo ... but it sure looks like the ball is going to hit the top bar, rather than go into the goal.
You need not be a football fan to enjoy it
> Because CR7 is also one letter more than the best Corvette?
Pros:
'You need not be a football fan to enjoy it'
? I have no interest in football and I also have no interest in this set lol
I get that the right part of the field is supposed to be an R. Is the left part supposed to be a C? it doesn't look like it.
Wow, I can't believe Lego started making Fatal Fury sets!
Too often, when you call something ugly, the response is that you only think so because the subject doesn’t interest you. But set the topic aside for a moment: it’s difficult to see this as anything other than visually messy and outright unattractive. Taken to its logical extreme, that reasoning would allow you to stack two 2×4 bricks and dismiss all criticism with “you just don’t get it because you’re not into the subject.” Even if you are a football fan, this is still an eyesore.
So many people here seem to be forgetting this is targeted at football fans, it’s not necessarily aimed at collectors or parts collectors. I’m not a huge football fan but I think these sets are really cool, have great minifigures, at a decent price point!
@Brickeric said:
" @leetshoe said:
"This is one of the worst looking sets. I'm just so surprised to see "none" under the negative column. "
I have the opposite opinion. I have no interest in this person (and against glorification) or this sport, but I find that it’s a very nice way to display a minifig. Much better than a black 3x4 tile or a frame with 48 minifigs. And it’s better looking than any technic sets, etc.
"
On the other hand: it's going to be pretty difficult to squeeze all of these extra bricks into the CMF blind-boxes. Also, you're going to need a bigger frame. And maybe a bigger wall.
Is it just the angle of the pictures, or does the ball really look like it's going to hit the top bar and NOT score a goal?
It took me a while to figure out what exactly I was looking at, to be honest... But basically it's a very elaborate vignette piece with a miniature of a millionaire.
@agrahmann said:
"Is it just the angle of the pictures, or does the ball really look like it's going to hit the top bar and NOT score a goal?"
It hits the crossbar and goes in :-)
I don’t know, I think you’d absolutely have to be a football fan to enjoy it. And even then…
Hello. The letters actually say "Siuu!", more related with Ronaldo, rather than "Sim!".
@DartNoob12 said:
"Hello. The letters actually say "Siuu!", more related with Ronaldo, rather than "Sim!"."
Indeed. As stated in the review.
Disappointing that the set doesn't come with his head and hairpiece in bronze.
this might be the worst looking set since 31210 Modern "Art" or 40596 Magic Maze
Good PPP value for sure, but expensive way to acquire balls for GBC :o)
After 20 years, I'm still not over the quarter final England-Portugal of 2006 (I was living in England back then). I would not be caught dead with anything related near or far to this living organism.
Cons: Ronaldo
Not a single negative for this set, really? It will be hard to ever take this reviewer’s opinions seriously ever again.
@Brine said:
"Not a single negative for this set, really? It will be hard to ever take this reviewer’s opinions seriously ever again. "
Why? What negatives would you put for this set, then? And no, personal opinions don't count, so "Football sets don't interest me" or "I don't like it" aren't valid negatives.
Personally I would list:
-Is a pointless, cluttered, and needlessly over-designed minifig stand
-Idolizes a single human being
(The latter is the more egregious. Celebrating or honoring a person's specific achievements or contributions to society, sure. Glorifying the person itself? No. All humans are flawed; putting random people on pedestals as though they're "better" than the rest has only helped drag society into its present derangement.)
Also, Huw's reviews remain the best on this site, in my opinion. He doesn't fawn over fanservice for specific licenses or expound upon the set's history or employ the entire English lexicon to describe every detail (though I have learned some fascinating words from his reviews). He is succinct and direct, often to the point of bluntness, letting the excellent pictures do the rest of the talking, and his approach usually leads him to a slightly more objective conclusion. I'm not saying the other Brickset reviewers are bad - far from it - but sometimes less is more, and this kind of set doesn't merit a full-length essay review. So, if he finds no obvious faults with the set, I'm inclined to agree with him. That doesn't mean I have to like or buy the set. LEGO puts out tons of sets that are perfectly fine but which I couldn't care less about owning.
Football fan here, I like these sets and will probably get them all. But I would really love to see Pele, the original GOAT (and maybe the best of all time depending on who you ask), get the same treatment. Maybe a pipe dream, but it would be pretty sweet to have.
@Somnium said:
"As expected, americans criticising the set or the player because football is far more popular than their football."
Football is way more popular than football and football combined.
Look at the cool fire piece for $30!
@kfr said:
"I am a massive football fan (not necessarily a Ronaldo fan, though). I admit I don't get these sets; they are clearly not for me. I don't really care about minifigs of any kind, and I don't find these sets particularly interesting as display pieces nor as a build experience.
But hey, that's just me! I am sure these will sell well, and I agree you seem to get quite a bit for the money. Maybe I should reconsider these sets as part packs?"
Especially since you could recoup some of the purchase price by selling the minifig.
@classicstylecastle said:"I can't see the appeal to non-football fans, other than the surprisingly reasonable price. Generally dislike anything connected to FIFA as they seem to be a bunch of crooks, but I guess money talks! "
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lqdErI9uss
@Crux said:
" @Brickeric said:
" @leetshoe said:
"This is one of the worst looking sets. I'm just so surprised to see "none" under the negative column. "
I have the opposite opinion. I have no interest in this person (and against glorification) or this sport, but I find that it’s a very nice way to display a minifig. Much better than a black 3x4 tile or a frame with 48 minifigs. And it’s better looking than any technic sets, etc.
"
On the other hand: it's going to be pretty difficult to squeeze all of these extra bricks into the CMF blind-boxes. Also, you're going to need a bigger frame. And maybe a bigger wall."
Or maybe have 20 figures with vignettes instead of 120 without (I’m more like the 2nd for now- missing time, parts and imagination).
The set is not small, but other sets about real people, like 40291, are bigger.
And even bigger minifig sets: UCS SW sets: exclusives minifigs with a big vehicle as a background.
I wish I could do similar constructions for my sons (ex: basketball player, student pilot)
This is a prove lego can make fully detailed figs for cheap but they refuse xD
@BLProductions said:
"Also, Huw's reviews remain the best on this site, in my opinion..."
Thank you. I tend to favour brevity nowadays and, as you say, let the pictures do most of the talking.
@benredstar said:
"There's this interesting trend emerging for LEGO sets to be display items rather than toys. So they're "things to put on a shelf and look at". A lot of the marvel sets are like that now, they come with a display base and it's like you're just expected to look at them. "
Very true sadly! LEGO is really losing its way. Back in my day you could assemble entire teams and stadiums and even play a game with your FIFA LEGO. Today it’s just all about overpriced dust collectors.
@ShilohCyan said:
"this might be the worst looking set since 31210 Modern "Art" or 40596 Magic Maze"
Magic Maze was a great set. Do you just hate colors?
SUUUUUIII ????
I think this more of a con: "You need not be a football fan to enjoy it"
No thanks, CR is way too arrogant... I prefer Messi, who is the real GOAT.