Soccer Captain Performs CPR on Seagull During Championship

A championship soccer match in Istanbul came to a halt when one player decided a bird's life mattered more than the final score.

During the Istanbul 1st Amateur League Play-Off Final in Zeytinburnu, goalkeeper Muhammet Uyanik launched a powerful kick from his penalty area in the 22nd minute. The ball struck a seagull flying overhead, sending it plummeting to the ground.

Team captain Gani Catan rushed to the fallen bird. When he saw it wasn't breathing, he dropped to his knees and started chest compressions.

For two minutes, Catan worked to revive the seagull while players from both teams watched. The entire stadium went silent as the live broadcast captured every moment.

Slowly, the bird's legs began to move. Its eyes opened. Water was brought over, and medical staff carried the recovering seagull to safety on the sideline.

The remarkable part? Catan has no medical training whatsoever. He called his lifesaving actions pure reflex, just an instinct to help a living creature in distress.

Sunny's Take

Catan's team, Istanbul Yurdum Spor, lost the match and missed their chance at promotion. Any other day, that defeat would have devastated the captain. But when reporters asked about the loss, Catan's perspective surprised everyone.

"We missed out on the championship, but helping save a life is a good thing," he said. "This was more important than the championship."

In a world obsessed with winning, Catan reminded us that compassion doesn't need credentials or perfect timing. It just needs someone willing to act when it matters most.

The seagull survived because one person chose kindness over competition, even in the highest stakes moment of his season. That's a victory worth celebrating.