A footballer in Türkiye has revived a seagull by administering CPR after the bird was accidentally knocked out of the sky by a ball during a match.
The incident was captured on video during an amateur game between Istanbul Yurdum and Mevlanakapi Guzelhisar on Sunday.
📌 Πάνω από το σκορ, πάνω από τη νίκη, βρίσκεται η ζωή.
— vradini.gr (@VradiniGr) February 24, 2026
📌 Ένα απρόσμενο περιστατικό στην Κωνσταντινούπολη θύμισε σε όλους μας την αξία της ενσυναίσθησης. Κατά τη διάρκεια του ποδοσφαιρικού αγώνα μεταξύ των ομάδων Mevlanakapi Guzelhisar και Istanbul Yurdum Spor, η μπάλα χτύπησε… pic.twitter.com/rqUbt8kdiN
Istanbul Yurdum goalkeeper Muhammet Uyanik accidentally struck the bird mid-air while taking a defensive free kick; the seagull immediately dropped to the ground as players rushed to its aid.
The team’s captain, Gani Catan, was the first to reach the bird and immediately began performing CPR. He was later seen picking up the seagull and carrying it to the sidelines for further treatment.
According to Türkiye Today, Catan performed CPR for approximately two minutes until he saw movement return to the bird’s legs and eyes. While Istanbul Yurdum ultimately lost the game on penalties, Catan said that saving the seagull felt like a small victory.
“We missed out on the championship, but helping save a life is a good thing. This was more important than the championship,” he told Türkiye Today.