LEGO Editions football wave minifigures review: Messi, Ronaldo and more

With the LEGO Editions football wave arriving on May 1, we’ve taken a deep dive into all four Football Highlights minifigures – and they might just be some of the most detailed sports minifigures the LEGO Group has ever produced.

Released ahead of this summer’s World Cup in North America, the wave focuses on four iconic modern players. Two all-time greats, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, lead the line with multiple sets, while Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior each receive a single Football Highlights model.

Each player’s minifigure appears in their respective set: 43013 Kylian Mbappé – Football Highlights, 43027 Vini Jr. – Football Highlights, 43011 Lionel Messi – Football Highlights and 43012 Cristiano Ronaldo – Football Highlights. Having had hands-on time with all four, it’s clear that detail is the defining feature across the board.

Cristiano Ronaldo

A consistent theme across the wave is just how far the LEGO Group has pushed minifigure detail, and Ronaldo’s may be the standout.

The dual-moulded legs are the highlight, featuring side-printing on the boots that even incorporates his CR7 branding. His iconic number seven also appears just above on the leg, adding another layer of authenticity.

The torso is a strong representation of Portugal’s kit, even without the national badge, complete with his name and number on the back and a printed captain’s armband. Interestingly, he’s the only figure here without dual-moulded arms, instead opting for a long-sleeve look.

Ronaldo is also the only minifigure in the wave with a dual-printed head: one side features a standard smile, while the other captures his iconic ‘Siu’ expression. Both include impressive facial detailing, from lines to beauty marks. The hairpiece, too, is spot on.

Lionel Messi

Ronaldo’s rival is slightly less striking in some areas – apologies to Messi fans – but still an excellent minifigure overall. Like Ronaldo, Messi features dual-moulded legs with clean printing and his iconic number included. However, it’s the torso and arms where this figure really shines.

The Argentina shirt, even without a badge, looks solid, but the dual-moulded arms elevate it significantly. The left arm includes a captain’s armband, while the right features detailed printing of Messi’s tattoos – easily one of the most impressive design choices in the entire wave.

The head only includes a single expression, a subtle smile beneath his beard. The hairpiece is perhaps the weakest element, with the front flick feeling slightly oversized, but it doesn’t detract too much from an otherwise excellent minifigure.

Kylian Mbappé

Mbappé’s minifigure is strong, though it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Messi or Ronaldo.

The dual-moulded legs are once again well executed, with clean number printing and solid boot detailing. The torso represents France’s kit, again without a badge, although the shade of blue feels slightly lighter than the real-life version.

Dual-moulded arms return here, complete with a captain’s armband, and the back printing is clean and effective. The standout feature is the face print, which captures Mbappé’s signature grin very well.

His hairstyle was always going to be tricky in LEGO form. While it may not be perfect, it’s a respectable attempt without resorting to a generic or inaccurate piece.

Vinícius Júnior

Vinícius Júnior is arguably the weakest of the four, but still a very solid minifigure. The legs maintain the same high standard seen across the wave, with detailed boots and number printing. The torso, featuring Brazil’s iconic yellow kit, looks fantastic, especially with his name and number on the back.

Unlike the others, Vinícius doesn’t include a captain’s armband, which makes his arms feel slightly less distinctive. However, his face print helps him stand out, featuring a playful tongue expression that adds personality.

The hairpiece is also a good match, rounding out a minifigure that, while not the most detailed of the bunch, still holds its own.

Overall, each minifigure leaves very little to be desired. The only notable omission is the lack of national team badges, but each player is still instantly recognisable, so it hardly detracts from the overall quality.

All four sets – 43013 Kylian Mbappé – Football Highlights, 43027 Vini Jr. – Football Highlights, 43011 Lionel Messi – Football Highlights and 43012 Cristiano Ronaldo – Football Highlights – launch on May 1 for £24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99.

With around 500 pieces in each and a standout minifigure guaranteed, these sets feel like easy picks for football fans and collectors alike.

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