Spain’s teenage gladiators: Baby-faced bullfighters risk their lives in grand final showdown for adoring crowds… and the chance to earn jaw-dropping salaries

A ‘shhh!’ ripples through the crowd as the boy wonder comes to a halt and raises his sword to eye level.

His rhinestone-encrusted costume shimmers under the Spanish sun as he points the blade towards the exhausted bull standing just a few yards away.

For the thousands of bloodthirsty fans who have packed out this bullring in Andalucia, the birthplace of modern bullifghting, this is the moment they’ve been waiting for.

You can almost hear a pin drop before finally, after taunting his prey for over 15 minutes, the baby-faced teen lets out a roar and charges forward, stabbing the panicked animal square between the shoulders, aiming for his heart.

The spectators gasp and erupt in cheers before waving their white handkerchiefs in approval of his ‘kill shot’ (escotada), in scenes that wouldn’t look out of place at Rome’s ancient Colosseum.

Then, like a macabre imitation of a One Direction concert, the grinning teenage heartthrob waves the bull’s ear to the crowds during a bizarre victory lap.

When he is finally satiated with his adoration, he gives the crowd what they are lusting for and tosses the piece of flesh into the sea of people, who cause a crush to capture it, as if it were a stray tennis ball fired off of Carlos Alcaraz’s racket during a Wimbledon final.

But, clearly, this is no ordinary sporting event.

This is the Circuit of the Becerredas, where teenage matadors-in-training, aka ‘becerristas’, fight to make a name for themselves in the hopes of reaching the big leagues of bullfighting.

The aforementioned apprentice is Manuel Real ‘Realito’, a rapidly rising star who was declared the winner of this year’s Grand Final, held in Lucena, Cordoba, on September 7.

The boy, reported to be just 16, was awarded two ears and a tail – a rare honour reserved for the finest of performances.

Exclusive video footage taken by the Daily Mail shows the youngster parading the body parts around the ring, while fans throw scarves and other trinkets for him to kiss and launch back up.

During his victory lap, a young female fan serenaded him from the pews with a flamenco song about the love of bullfighting, while followers unfurled banners bearing his name and photo.

There was no doubt that the pint-sized favourite, donning a baby blue ‘trajes de luces’ (suit of lights), with gold embroidered detail, performed the most daring of manoeuvres.

He began his fight by sitting on a wooden chair while goading the bull, increasing his chances of being hit, but proving a massive crowdpleaser.

While performing his ‘passes’ (when the bull runs into his cape), he came the closest to the horns without being struck – unlike two of his competitors, who were bucked into the air and trampled, although fortunately, sustained no serious injuries.

Manuel, who was awarded a total of 47 points by the judges, told the crowd ahead of the prize ceremony: ‘I am euphoric… I’m without words, I can’t describe what I’m feeling.’

As is tradition for winning two ears, he was carried out of the bullring on the shoulders of spectators, before being mobbed by adoring fans.

He would wow crowds again just days later at an event in Toledo, where he was also awarded two ears and carried out of the ‘big gate’ (Puerta Grande) on shoulders.

‘He produced a performance unbecoming of his age – of sublime artistry and exceptional bullfighting,’ one local newspaper gushed over his win in Cordoba, branding him ‘explosive’, and praising his ‘accurate sword thrust on the second attempt.’

The rising star trains at a bullfighting school (Escuela Taurina) in Camas, on the outskirts of the city of Sevilla.

He was followed on the podium by Pablo Sanchez, from the Almeria bullfighting school, on 34.5 points (one ear), and Rojeli Pajuelo, from the Ubrique bullfighting school, on 33 points (no ears).

Manuel later said in an Instagram post that showed him gleefully holding the bull’s tail: ‘Lucena, I will never forget you, you were very special.’

The six finalists had been whittled down from 30 competitors over a series of previous rounds.

They each came from different bullfighting academies across the southernmost region of Andalucia, where this bloodsport remains popular – and where it is finding new young fans.

That, locals told the Daily Mail, is thanks to the charismatic up-and-coming fighters, who have won over supporters on social media.

Additionally, among the right-wing youth, it is becoming increasingly popular to associate oneself with symbols of traditional Spain.

‘It’s making a bit of a comeback with young people because there are some inspiring fighters,’ Juan Ruiz, 74, told this paper.

Asked what he thought of activists calling for the end of the blood sport, he added: ‘If I told you what I really think, you wouldn’t be able to print it.

‘I’ve been coming to bullfights since I was a kid and I turned out fine, this industry brings hundreds of millions of euros to the economy, a lot of jobs rely on it.

‘And if there was no bullfighting, this breed of bull would simply cease to exist.’

He added: ‘If you don’t like something, don’t go, no one is forcing you, but respect the culture and traditions of the people that do.’

Sharing his view is the Mayor of Lucena, Aurelio Garcia, who vowed to hold the Becerradas event next year.

‘We’re very happy to have enjoyed another year of this event,’ he told the crowd, ‘and we WILL hold it again next year!’

Most ‘becerristas’, who are typically aged between 16 and 18, dream of following in the footsteps of legendary matadors like Andres Roca Rey, who has become a multi-millionaire by raking in up to €400,000 per fight.

The 28-year-old travels the world as a professional fighter, staying at five-star hotels and taking out yachts while rubbing shoulders with A-list celebrities (including playing host to British actor Jeremy Irons at his estate in Sevilla this April).

Matadors can also become influential figures, often meeting high-ranking politicians while performing at dozens of ferias throughout Spain and the world each year.

But the becerristas have a long way to go. They must climb the ranks and prove themselves fearless performers, adept at killing bulls while entertaining a crowd.

The youngsters will never be paid for fights, in fact, many will pay to compete for the exposure and experience.

If they are good enough, they will become ‘novilleros’ and fight slightly bigger bulls in the league of the Novilladas.

Still, they will very rarely be paid, unless they are exceptionally gifted and achieve a high level of notoriety.

It is only when they take part in the ‘alternativa’ ceremony and are ordained as professional matadors that they can start demanding fees for bookings.

It means, for several years at least, they must take substantial personal risk for little to no financial reward.

Just this month, a 22-year-old matador was gored to death during a bullfight in neighbouring Portugal, in a sobering reminder of the sport’s danger.

Manuel Maria Trindade was making his debut performance in Lisbon’s Campo Pequeno bullring when the show ended in tragedy.

Footage from the event shows the young ‘forcado’ run towards the enormous bull to provoke the animal into charging.

The beast then ran at high speed towards Trindade, who attempted to grab onto the animal’s horns and gain control.

But in a matter of seconds Trindade was hoisted up into the air by the storming bull and thrown against the wall of the arena.

Spectators in the 6,848-seat ring shouted in horror as the victim was left sprawled on the ground.

The animal was finally subdued by a bullfighter pulling its tail and others holding up bright capes in its eyeline. Paramedics rushed to treat Trindade in the ring but the injuries to his head were too severe.

And this week, more terror struck in the ring. Disturbing footage from the 25th Golden Potter competition in Villaseca de la Sagra on Thursday showed Joao D’Alva thrown into the air on the bull’s right horn.

It is no surprise that a very small number – some estimates put it at one to two per cent – of students at academies go on to become professional fighters.

But for some, the risk is worth it for the fame, glory and riches that can come once they are fully-fledged ‘matadors’ on a par with their idols.

Before achieving that dream, they first cut their teeth on the Becerradas circuit, fighting bull calves (becerros), who are only up to two years old.

Due to the inexperience of the fighters, it often means a slower and more painful death for the animals – a fact that is regularly criticised by animal rights groups like PACMA.

PACMA national secretary Javier Sanabria told the Daily Mail: ‘Becerradas are even more controversial because they are performed on animals that are babies, typically ranging from six months to one year old… It’s the ultimate cruelty.

‘Novillos are animals between two and four years old. The Spanish Animal Protection Law condemns the use of animals of that age for any type of work, but that same law makes an incomprehensible exception for bulls. As if bulls weren’t animals and didn’t suffer.’

He added: ‘There are people with a lot of power who enjoy watching a spectacle that tries to torture an animal to death… they try to indoctrinate children to believe that this is normal, that torturing animals, if their elders say so, is okay.’

Sanabria said ‘very small segments’ of the population are ‘dedicated to promoting and indoctrinating young people’ into becoming bullfighting fans, adding that polls show up to 89% of the population is against it.

He said: ‘Within that small percentage that does support it, they promote it among their children and groups, inducing them to become figures, gain fame and money.

‘Typically, bullfighters are people who, for various reasons, lack education or training and see the opportunity to become famous, rich, and rub shoulders with high society.’

Sanabria said the involvement of right-wing governments is ‘essential’ for the sport to continue.

‘Bullfighting thrives on subsidies; without public money, bullfighting wouldn’t exist in Spain,’ he said.

‘Ranches, bullring owners, bullfighters… they all receive subsidies, and these shows are maintained thanks to that money. When it became clear a few years ago that bullfighting would end without these subsidies, the right-wing politicians of the time protected it and required by law to maintain it by investing public money in it.

‘Right-wing parties, in general, are bullfighting supporters and believe that animals don’t matter and are there to entertain us at the expense of their suffering.’

However, he also blasted left-wing parties, who he said ‘aren’t doing anything to end this suffering either.’

‘They look the other way because their voters are bullfighting and hunting enthusiasts, and taking a stand against it could cause them to lose votes,’ he said.

‘They talk about it, they insinuate it, but they do nothing to prevent it.’

Indeed, while the tradition may seem barbaric to the average Brit, for many in Andalucia, this is simply a part of their culture, and has been for generations.

The ‘becerradas’ final in Cordoba was free to enter and it was a full house, with toddlers, teens and pensioners filling the seats.

The six finalists, dressed in their traditional trajes de luces (suits of lights), which can cost upwards of €3,000, are each given one bull to fight – but it’s hardly a fair battle.

Once the animal is released into the ring, it is first made to run around by five assistants, who distract it – and tire it out – with pink and yellow capes.

Heartbreaking clips show one confused bull repeatedly bashing his horns against the edge of the ring, while spectators can be heard laughing.

After tiring the bull, two Banderilleros enter, each carrying two spears decorated with the colours of the Spanish and Andalusian flags.

Their sole job, considered an art form in itself, is to run towards the bull, jump into the air and plunge the spears into its back or body.

Then, the apprentice matador, clutching his iconic red cape (capote), begins the third and final act, known as the faena.

The goal is to be as daring as possible, with extra points awarded for danger and bravery, but also performance, including puffing out the chest and showing off to the crowd.

Each time a bull collapses from exhaustion or from bleeding out – and especially when it is killed – the spectators erupt into cheers of ‘ole!’ while applause fills the air.

After the final blow is delivered, the bull is stabbed in the head to ensure it is dead. Then, its ear, ears or tail are cut off for the matador to parade around the ring during his victory lap – depending on how well he performed.

That is decided by a panel of judges, made up of teachers and pros, who give scores on a variety of criteria, including artistry, performance, style and crucially, the cleanliness of the kill.

The crowd also have their say by standing to their feet and waving white handkerchiefs if they think a fighter has performed particularly well.

After each fight, the bull’s corpse is dragged out of the arena by horses, as the crowd cheers again amid shouts of ‘fuera!’ (Get out!).

The pool of blood left by the slaughter is quickly swept away before the next bull is released.

In extremely rare occasions, a bull may be given a pardon (indulto), if it shows exceptional bravery, strength and nobility, and a request by the crowd and fighter is accepted by the bullring’s president.

The saved animal is then sent back to the ranch to live as a breeding bull.

However, this almost never happens and is considered one of the highest honours – both for the bull and the matador.

Some bulls become legends themselves, especially if they have killed people.

Raton (Mouse) was a Spanish bull who killed at least three people between 2006 and 2011, and gored dozens more, turning him into a box-office attraction.

He was never used for traditional bullfights, meaning he was not ritually killed, and was instead paid thousands of euros to attend bull-running festivals, which sees the animals released into streets while fans attempt to run alongside them.

Bullfighting is certainly not for the fainthearted, and most children across Spain would never dream of taking up the sport – but many hundreds do.

They start by attending bullfighting school (Escuela Taurina), of which there are 31 in Andalucia, with the latest opening just this year on the Costa del Sol.

There are thought to be up to 400 students currently enrolled across the region, and more in other bullfighting regions such as Madrid.

Ages typically range from 12 and up, although there are strict limits on children under 16 fighting live bulls.

Most students have a family history of bullfighting, with their fathers having been matadors or involved with the sport in some way.

Pupils are taught the basics, including the correct posture and how to use the cape, while battling their peers acting as bulls, or devices that mirror the animal, before moving onto cows.

They are also taught traditional values such as respect, discipline, bravery and etiquette – as well as being physically prepared via agility, strength and stamina training.

Aside from the physical, they learn the history of the sport and its strong links to Spanish culture.

Increasingly, they are trained on how to respond to critics, and are given prepared responses to challenging questions.

There are no rules on gender, with girls and women allowed to pursue bullfighting just as much as their male counterparts. However, there are far fewer female fighters operating in Spain.

Once young students are deemed ready, they begin attending Becerradas, the most amateur of bullfighting events, which sometimes don’t involve killing the bull and are focused on training.

They then upgrade to Novilladas, where they must always kill the bull and a strict point scoring system involving ears and tails is in place.

While on the Novilladas circuit, a league table keeps track of the top fighters by counting how many ears and tails they have won per season (March to October), and how many fights they have competed in.

Fans are kept up to date with the latest league table by fan accounts on Instagram.

Once fighters have performed consistently well in a large number of novilladas, they can take part in the sacred ‘alternativa’ ceremony, which sees them officially anointed as a matador (bullfighter), with the support of a bullfighting godfather (padrino) and another professional fighter as a witness.

This moment marks the beginning of their professional career and means they will only fight in professional bullfights (corridas) where they face the biggest bulls, known as toros bravos, who are aged four and up.

But they are not guaranteed the fame and fortune of big time stars like Andres Roca Rey or Jose Tomas.

At the start of their career, they can expect to be paid between €1,000 and €3,000 per fight.

However the fight fees, called ‘honorarios’, can rise dramatically if they become popular or a household name.

Some rising stars can expect to be paid between €10,000 and €30,000 per event for example, while icons like Enrique Ponce, El Juli or Roca Rey could charge up to €400,000.

A matador can expect to make money by travelling around Spain, Portugal, France and Latin America to perform in local fairs, with significant ones like Sevilla and Madrid offering the biggest bucks.

Sponsorship and endorsements are rare and reserved for the most elite of matadors.

Cayetano Rivera Ordoñez, for example, was gifted a bespoke costume by the now-late Giorgio Armani back in 2006.

He also served as a brand ambassador for the luxury Spanish brand Loewe.

However, these days, sponsorships are usually private and do not involve big name brands, who fear being ‘cancelled’.

Just last year, Spain abolished a €30,000 annual national bullfighting award, citing the nation’s changing social and cultural climate and growing concern for animal welfare.

Indeed, backlash against the blood sport has been around for some years, but there seems to be a lack of will to get rid of the tradition.

A poll by Sigma Dos for the El Mundo newspaper in April, for example, found that 78% of Spaniards are not fans of bullfighting.

However, the same survey found only 48% would remove the sport’s protected ‘cultural heritage’ status.

There is a clear political divide, with members of right wing parties more likely to support bullfighting, although the highest is seen in hard-right Vox (37.6%), and the conservative Partido Popular (31.3%).

Nevertheless, where these parties have regained control locally or provincially in recent elections, they have sought to overturn bans on bullfighting and bring it back, most notably in holiday hotspots like Mallorca, and Marbella on the Costa del Sol.

Andalucia is considered the birthplace of modern bullfighting and the region in Spain with the most bullrings, totalling 70.

These include the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza in Sevilla, one of the country’s most iconic and known as the ‘Cathedral of Bullfighting’.

While bullfighting is traced back to the Roman times, it wasn’t until the 1700s that it became what it is today.

That was thanks to Pedro Romero, from Ronda (inland Malaga), who revolutionised the practice by introducing the cape and fighting bulls on foot.

This established the prototype for the matador, transforming bullfighting into an art form that placed individual bravery and technique at its core.

It then transitioned from improvised village contests to structured events held in purpose-built arenas, which are still held to this day.