Matador Morante de la Puebla Details 'Excruciating' Bull Gore in Seville Arena
One of Spain's most celebrated matadors, Morante de la Puebla, has vividly described the 'excruciating' moment a bull drove its horn into him, just a day after joking about being gored by the beast. Widely hailed as the 'King of bullfighters', he is now recovering in Viamed Hospital after being rushed from the packed Maestranza arena in Seville on Sunday.
The Dangerous Encounter in the Ring
The torero faced a bull that had positioned itself in a treacherous spot within the ring. As the incident unfolded, Morante attempted a daring manoeuvre but failed to raise his arms in time, leaving himself exposed. The animal ignored the sweep of the cape and charged, catching him behind at hip level before driving its horn into his body and perforating his rectum.
Speaking from his hospital bed after being moved out of intensive care, Morante said: 'It was the most painful goring I've ever had. Wow, it was excruciating. I felt it, searching for blood.' He also admitted to the fear he felt immediately after the attack, adding: 'I was in immense pain, and I was also very scared because I saw that the bull had caught me, and I thought I was bleeding a lot. When I got to the infirmary and saw that the bleeding was minimal, I relaxed quite a bit. But it hurt terribly.'
Complex Surgical Procedure and Recovery
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, which included:
- Cleansing the wound thoroughly
- Reconstructing affected tissue
- Inserting drainage to prevent infection
Dr Octavio Mulet, who operated, explained that the injury was particularly complex due to its location. 'The goring has caused complex injuries, more so than its severity. It's in the anal area, the rectum. A sphincter repair was necessary, which makes the procedure more complicated,' he said. He also ruled out other injuries in the lumbar region, pending further radiological tests.
Ongoing Medical Care and Patient Outlook
Morante remains on intravenous treatment and will be unable to eat for several days as doctors manage the risk of infection. A central line is set to be inserted for parenteral nutrition, allowing nutrients to be delivered directly into his bloodstream. The bullfighter commented: 'I've never had it done, but they say it's with a catheter that reaches a larger vein so the food goes in much better.'
Despite the ordeal, he was described as calm, greeting visitors with a tired smile while acknowledging the discomfort. 'I had a rough night, sleeping very little, but to be honest, I wasn't in much pain. I'll have to stay like this for a few days, with no food, and I hope I can get through it with a little patience,' Morante added. He is expected to remain in hospital for at least a week as the bullfighting world reels from this dramatic incident.
