Brazilian football legend Pele hailed an "unforgettable" day after receiving a Covid-19 vaccine on Tuesday and urged people not to let down their guard against the deadly virus.
Pele, 80, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, posted a picture of himself on Instagram with the accompanying message: "Today was an unforgettable day. I received the vaccine!"
The photo shows the former Santos and New York Cosmos striker wearing a mask and giving a thumbs-up while he received his shot. He did not say which vaccine he had received or whether it was his first or second dose.
The message from one of Brazil's greatest sons comes the same day that a record 1,641 people were reported to have died in the South American nation after contracting the virus.
"The pandemic is not over. We must remain disciplined to save lives because many people have not yet been vaccinated," he wrote, and advocated mask-wearing, social distancing and hand-washing as virus protection.
"This will pass if we think of each other and help each other," he added.
The only player to win three World Cups - in Sweden in 1958, Chile in 1962 and Mexico in 1970 - Pele has self-isolated at his house in Sao Paulo since the start of the health crisis which has left more than 255,000 people dead in Brazil, where vaccination has been slow to start.
As an octogenarian, Pele forms part of the population considered at high risk of coronavirus complications.
His health has deteriorated in recent years, and in limited recent public appearances, he has been seen in a wheelchair or supported by a walker.
Brazil has seen 257,361 people die from the virus, more than any other country outside the United States, and is currently facing a new spike in cases.
The previous record daily high came in July 2020.
FIGHT CARD
Sara El Bakkali v Anisha Kadka (Lightweight, female)
Mohammed Adil Al Debi v Moaz Abdelgawad (Bantamweight)
Amir Boureslan v Mahmoud Zanouny (Welterweight)
Abrorbek Madaminbekov v Mohammed Al Katheeri (Featherweight)
Ibrahem Bilal v Emad Arafa (Super featherweight)
Ahmed Abdolaziz v Imad Essassi (Middleweight)
Milena Martinou v Ilham Bourakkadi (Bantamweight, female)
Noureddine El Agouti v Mohamed Mardi (Welterweight)
Nabil Ouach v Ymad Atrous (Middleweight)
Nouredin Samir v Zainalabid Dadachev (Lightweight)
Marlon Ribeiro v Mehdi Oubahammou (Welterweight)
Brad Stanton v Mohamed El Boukhari (Super welterweight
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership
UAE Premiership
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes
UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II
UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby
RESULTS
Argentina 4 Haiti 0
Peru 2 Scotland 0
Panama 0 Northern Ireland 0
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Group B
Bayern Munich v Tottenham, midnight (Thursday)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Favourite car: Ferrari
Likes the colour: Black
Best movie: Avatar
Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in media production from the Higher Colleges of Technology and diploma in production from the New York Film Academy
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
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Power: 819hp
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