Spanish matador Morante de la Puebla has spoken publicly about the severe pain he suffered after sustaining a serious injury during a bullfighting event in Seville, describing it as the most painful goring of his career.
Morante de la Puebla, widely known as one of Spain’s most prominent bullfighters, underwent emergency surgery after the incident at Seville’s Maestranza arena on Monday. In remarks shared from his hospital bed, he said he experienced intense pain and fear immediately after the injury.
“I was in immense pain,” he said, adding that he initially feared heavy bleeding before doctors assessed the wound and began treatment.
The New York Post reported that the 46-year-old had already faced three bulls before the fourth charged unexpectedly during the performance, according to media reports. The incident left him with a serious wound that required extensive surgical treatment.
🚨Torero josé Antonio Morante de la Puebla ha sido herido y se encuentra muy grave segun reportes tras una cornada de 10 centimetros que le ha perforado el recto. https://t.co/sVLbL4cMSz
— Enséñame de Ciencia (@EnsedeCiencia) April 20, 2026Morante de la Puebla said the injury has made the early stages of recovery especially difficult. He explained that he has struggled to sleep, has little appetite, and continues to deal with significant pain as he recovers in the hospital.
He also said doctors are providing nutrition intravenously through a catheter as part of his treatment, describing the experience as something entirely new for him.
The matador said patience will be essential in the days ahead as he begins what is expected to be a slow recovery process. His comments offered a personal account of the physical and emotional toll of the injury following the incident in Seville.
The case has drawn wide attention in Spain, where Morante de la Puebla remains one of the most recognisable names in bullfighting. His recovery is now likely to remain closely followed by supporters of the sport and the wider public.
