What began as a routine amateur football match in Istanbul turned into an unexpected moment of compassion, after one player swapped his boots for the role of first responder to help an injured bird.
During the weekend fixture, a goalkeeper preparing to clear the ball upfield accidentally struck a passing seagull. The ball travelled only a short distance before hitting the bird mid-flight, sending it tumbling onto the pitch and leaving players and spectators stunned.
For a brief moment, the bird lay motionless.
Then, in a scene that surprised everyone on the field, a player wearing the number five jersey rushed over. Instead of walking away, he gently turned the bird onto its back and began performing chest compressions in an earnest attempt to revive it. Teammates and opponents gathered around in silence as the impromptu rescue unfolded.
Video later shared on Reddit shows the player pausing, then continuing his efforts with renewed determination. Moments later, the bird showed signs of life.
Carefully lifting the seagull, the player carried it to medical staff who had entered through the sidelines to assist. With the bird safely in their care, play eventually resumed but not before the crowd had witnessed a small act of kindness that overshadowed the scoreline.
Clips from Turkey’s lower leagues often go viral for their unpredictability, yet this time it wasn’t chaos that caught attention it was empathy.
In a game defined by competition, one footballer reminded everyone that sometimes the most important victory is simply helping a life take flight again.