Spanish bullfighter Morante de la Puebla remains in intensive care following a serious goring during the Feria de Abril in Seville on April 20, 2026. The incident occurred during the fourth bull of the afternoon at La Maestranza, where the animal, identified as Clandestino and weighing 512kg, struck the matador in the anal region after he had already cut one ear from his first bull. Surgeons reported a wound trajectory of approximately 10 centimeters, partial damage to the anal sphincter, and a 1.5 centimeter perforation of the rectal wall, requiring surgery lasting more than two hours.
Doctor Octavio Mulet, who led the surgical team at Viamed hospital in Seville, stated that it is too early to establish a recovery timeline, emphasizing the uncertainty of the injury’s evolution and the ongoing risk of infection due to the wound’s location and nature. Medical professionals have classified his condition as ‘very serious,’ with at least ten days needed before a clearer prognosis can be determined.
The goring has drawn widespread concern across the bullfighting community, overshadowing what had been a strong performance earlier in the day. Prior to the incident, Morante had been praised for his technique with the cape and right-hand work, maintaining his status as one of the season’s leading attractions. Fellow matador Borja Jiménez completed his performance and exited the ring normally, but the day’s sporting results were quickly eclipsed by the severity of Morante’s injuries.
Reports from Cadena SER, El País, El Mundo, ABC, and mundotoro.com confirm that Morante was transferred from intensive care to a regular hospital ward after spending the night under observation. In a statement to mundotoro.com, he described the experience as ‘the goring that has hurt me most in my life,’ expressing fear that the bull’s horn had reached his intestines during the attack.
The incident has reignited discussions about the inherent risks in bullfighting, particularly during high-profile events like the Feria de Abril, which draws large crowds and significant media attention. As of now, no official statement has been released regarding Morante’s potential return to the ring, with medical staff continuing to monitor his recovery closely.