• Player performs emergency CPR on Injured seagull during match
• Bird taken for treatment after breathing restored

A footballer acted heroically when he gave emergency first aid to a seagull that had been struck by a ball during a match this week in Istanbul, reviving the bird.

A club official from Istanbul Yurdum Spor said the incident occurred when the low-flying seagull was hit by a clearance kick from the team’s goalkeeper during an amateur playoff match against Mevlanakapi Guzelhisar.

As the seagull fell to the ground, Istanbul Yurdum Spor’s captain, Gani Catan, rushed over and began performing basic CPR, pressing on the bird’s chest.

“I saw something falling and realized it was a seagull. The first thing that came to mind was heart massage because it couldn’t breathe, so I gave it a try,” Catan said.

Once the bird started breathing, Catan carried it off the pitch to the medical staff, who took over its care.

The match commentator did not miss a beat: “Muhammet hit the seagull! They are performing chest compressions on the bird right now — a moment rarely seen in football history. The seagull is being taken to the sidelines with the medical kit for continued treatment.”

According to reports, the seagull suffered a broken wing, but its condition after the match was not immediately known.

Despite the heroic rescue, Catan’s team lost the match and was eliminated from the playoffs, though the player was unbothered.

“We missed the chance to win the championship, but it’s wonderful that we were able to save a life. That matters more than the trophy,” Catan said.