‘King of Bullfighters’ suffers devastating injury during Seville bullfight
A legendary Spanish matador has revealed he is unable to eat or sleep after suffering what he described as the most painful injury of his career during a bullfight in Seville.
Morante de la Puebla, widely known as the “King of Bullfighters,” was rushed to hospital on Monday after being violently gored during a performance at the Maestranza arena.
Bullfighting remains deeply controversial across Spain, with supporters calling it tradition and critics condemning it as animal cruelty. The risks, however, remain very real for both bulls and matadors.
“The most painful goring ever,” says Morante
In a video recorded from his hospital bed, Morante described the moment the bull struck him and the aftermath of the attack.
“I was in immense pain… I thought I was bleeding,” he said. “Without a doubt, it was the most painful goring ever.”
The 46-year-old said he was taken to the infirmary shortly after the incident, where he was reassured the bleeding was not as severe as initially feared — though the pain remained intense.
Doctors later treated him for a serious tear and inserted a catheter as he continues to recover.
Sudden attack leaves veteran fighter seriously injured
The incident occurred after Morante had already faced three bulls during the event. While preparing for the final encounter, he briefly turned away when the animal charged unexpectedly.
Despite attempting to redirect the bull using his cape, the animal struck with force, causing a deep injury that required immediate medical attention.
Images from the arena showed him being helped out of the ring by fellow matadors as he clutched his injuries.
“I can’t sleep, I have no appetite”
Morante said his recovery has been physically and mentally difficult.
“The truth is, I’m in a lot of pain,” he said. “I’ve barely slept and I have no appetite.”
Doctors are monitoring his condition closely as he faces a potentially long recovery period, with uncertainty over whether he will return to the ring.
Bullfighting controversy continues to grow
Bullfighting remains legal in parts of Spain and other regions of Europe and Latin America, but it has faced growing international criticism over animal welfare concerns.
Advocacy groups estimate hundreds of thousands of bulls are killed annually in bullfights worldwide, often in prolonged and violent encounters.
While supporters argue the tradition is cultural heritage, opponents continue to push for wider bans, pointing to the suffering involved.
