Brazil National Team Player - Fred (Frederico Rodrigues de Paula Santos)
soc209 · Sports
Football (Soccer) · 2018. Released as part of a promotional partnership between LEGO and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Figure ID
soc209
Theme
Sports
Year Released
2018. Released as part of a promotional partnership between LEGO and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Rarity
Very Rare. This figure was a regional exclusive, primarily available through promotional activities in Brazil. It has never seen a worldwide retail launch.
Head
Reddish Brown skin tone with a slight, friendly smile and white eyes. The hair is a black short, textured 'Afro' or short curly hair mold, common for contemporary realistic characters.
Torso
Yellow jersey with a green and dark green v-neck collar. Features the official Brazil CBF crest on the left chest. Brown arms represent skin, with printed green/yellow sleeve cuffs. Back printing includes player name 'FRED' and number '18'.
Legs
Blue shorts (hips and upper legs) with intricate printing. The legs feature mid-calf length socks with green and white striped detailing, ending in printed black football cleats with white lace details.
Accessories
Typically none included in the individual polybag, though often displayed with a standard LEGO soccer ball element (white with black pentagons).
Color Scheme
The iconic 'Canarinho' colors of the Brazil National Team: Yellow (torso), Blue (shorts), and Green (accents), with Reddish Brown skin tones.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing on torso (front/back), arms, and legs. Notable for the rare arm printing and high-detail sock/cleat printing on the front of the legs.
Variants
Part of a larger squad release; similar figures exist for other 2018 Brazil teammates like Neymar Jr. (soc201) and Philippe Coutinho (soc203), differing by face prints and back-of-jersey names/numbers.
Condition Notes
The yellow torso is susceptible to visible dirt or friction marks. Check the arm printing for peeling or 'flea bites' at the shoulder joints. Reddish brown hands are prone to hairline cracks if holding accessories for long periods.
Estimated Value
Highly variable due to regional availability; Used: $30-$50. New/Sealed in polybag: $60-$100+ depending on the specific collector market in Brazil vs. International.
Price (New)
N/A. Originally distributed as a GWP (Gift with Purchase) or through specific promotions in Brazilian retail outlets rather than as a standalone retail set.
Compatible Sets
40298 (generic ID for Brazil soccer polybags), promotional item for the 2018 World Cup cycle.
Character Background
Depicts Fred, a midfielder for the Brazil National Team and professional clubs like Manchester United and Fenerbahçe. He was part of the 2018 World Cup squad in Russia.
Design Notes
Uses licensed CBF branding. The use of realistic skin tones (Reddish Brown) reflects LEGO's movement away from the standard yellow for licensed real-world sports figures and celebrities.
Similar Minifigures
German National Team DFB Series (71014), other Brazil 2018 team members, and the 2000-era Adidas Soccer players.
Collectibility
High. Sports fans and 'completionist' minifigure collectors highly value this due to its limited geographic release and official licensing.
History
Follows the tradition of the 2016 German DFB Collectible Minifigure series, but was much harder to acquire for fans outside of South America.
Interesting Facts
Despite being produced in significant numbers for the Brazilian market, they remain very difficult to find in North America and Europe, leading to significant price inflation on secondary markets like BrickLink.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed on a green baseplate resembling turf, perhaps inside a small acrylic case to protect the rare arm and leg printing from dust and UV fading.
Modification Potential
Excellent for MOC stadiums or custom soccer teams. The legs and arms are highly sought after for creating custom players for other national teams with similar kits.
Overall Assessment
A top-tier collectible for sports enthusiasts. The combination of licensed branding, regional exclusivity, and high-detail printing makes it a standout piece in any modern LEGO collection.