Pele received the first large dose of COVID-19 vaccine, calling it “an unforgettable day.”
The 80-year-old Brazilian footballer posted the news on his social channels, together with an image of him receiving the blow in his right arm.
– Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN + (US only)
– Mars Day B now Women’s Soccer Day in Rio
Pele, a three-time World Cup champion, has not revealed where the dose was given, but he has remained at home in Guaruja, outside Sao Paulo, since the pandemic hit Brazil a year ago.
“Today is an unforgettable day – I received the vaccine!” Said Pele. “The pandemic is not over yet. We must maintain discipline to preserve lives until many people have been vaccinated.”
Less than 4% of Brazil’s population has been vaccinated against coronavirus.
Brazil has the second largest death toll in the world COVID-19, nearly 260,000 victims. Last week was the deadliest in the country since the beginning of the pandemic, with 8,244 confirmed deaths related to the virus.
Pele urged his followers to wash their hands and stay home, if possible.
“When you go out, please don’t forget the mask and keep your social distance. This will pass if we can think of others and help each other,” he said.