One of Spain‘s most celebrated matadors was targeted in a very painful place by a bull during a gruesome goring.

Morante de la Puebla, widely hailed as the ‘King of bullfighters’, was dramatically carried from the ring at the packed Maestranza arena in Seville, after being caught out in a split-second misjudgment during his bout.

The seasoned torero had stepped forward to face a bull which had positioned itself in a notoriously treacherous spot in the arena.

Morante attempted a daring manoeuvre but failed to raise his arms in time, leaving him exposed to the wild animal.

The bull, ignoring the sweep of the cape, charged towards him, catching him behind at hip level before driving its horn into his body and perforating his rectum.

At first, the full extent of the 10cm injury was unclear. The matador was seen in images reaching back, searching for the wound in agony.

He was carried from the arena, his body motionless, as blood was seen on the bull’s horn in a chilling sign of the damage inflicted.

Morante was rushed to the hospital, where he was placed under general anaesthesia for emergency surgery. Doctors confirmed he had suffered a devastating internal injury, with the bull’s horn tearing into the highly sensitive area.

 

Morante de la Puebla, widely hailed as the ‘King of bullfighters’ was caught out in a split-second misjudgment during his bout

The seasoned torero had stepped forward to face Matilla’s fourth bull, which had taken up a dangerous position near the irrigation ditch – a notoriously treacherous spot in the arena

 

Morante attempted a daring manoeuvre but failed to raise his arms in time or follow through correctly

 

He was swiftly carried from the arena, his body described as slack and motionless, as blood was seen on the bull’s horn

The official medical report detailed a deep wound near the anus, with damage to the sphincter muscles and a perforation to the rectal wall.

Surgeons carried out an extensive procedure to repair the internal damage, including cleansing the wound, reconstructing affected tissue, and inserting drainage to prevent infection.

The operation, led by Dr Octavio Mulet, was described as lengthy and complex.

His condition has been classified as ‘very serious’.

The incident has sent waves of concern through the bullfighting community, where Morante’s recent return to the ring had already been viewed with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.

Now, fears are mounting not only over his recovery but over the future of the season itself, with the matador considered a central figure in the sport’s current resurgence.

Medical experts warn that while the muscular damage is severe, the greatest danger lies in the high risk of infection – a potentially life-threatening complication given the nature and location of the wound.