In an extraordinary display of compassion during a high-stakes amateur playoff match in Istanbul, a footballer’s quick thinking brought an injured seagull back to life after it was struck by a powerful clearance kick. The incident occurred during a match between Istanbul Yurdum Spor and Mevlanakapi Guzelhisar when the team’s goalkeeper accidentally hit a low-flying gull with the ball.
Team captain Gani Catan immediately rushed to the fallen bird’s aid, performing improvised cardiopulmonary resuscitation by gently pumping its ribcage. ‘Something was falling and I realized it was a seagull,’ Catan later told Anadolu Agency. ‘The first thing that came to my mind was heart massage because it couldn’t breathe, so I tried my luck.’
The dramatic rescue operation captivated players and spectators alike, with match commentator Onur Ozsoy documenting the unprecedented scene: ‘They’re doing chest compressions on the seagull right now—this is a moment rarely seen in football history.’
After successfully reviving the bird, Catan carried it to medical staff who continued treatment on the sidelines. Reports indicated the seagull sustained wing damage, though its post-match condition remained unclear.
Despite Catan’s heroic efforts toward the injured bird, his team ultimately lost the critical match, ending their championship aspirations. The captain displayed remarkable perspective regarding the outcome: ‘We missed out on the championship, but it’s a wonderful thing to have helped save a life. This was more important than the championship.’