Manuel Real, known as “Realito,” was declared the winner of the Circuit of the Becerredas grand final in Lucena, Cordoba, on Sept. 7 after judges awarded the reported 16‑year‑old two ears and a tail — honours reserved for the most highly rated performances in amateur bullfighting. Spectators filled the arena for the final, a fixture in Andalucia’s summer calendar that draws families and young fans as well as critics.
Video of the event shows Real parading the trophies around the ring and being carried out on supporters’ shoulders after receiving a reported 47 points from the judging panel. Local coverage described daring manoeuvres that included sitting on a wooden chair while goading the bull and a series of close passes with his cape; two other competitors were bucked and trampled during the final but reportedly avoided serious injury.
The Circuit of the Becerredas is a route of amateur shows where teenage matadors-in-training, known as becerristas, fight younger bulls or calves (becerros) as part of their development. The six finalists in Lucena were selected from a field of roughly 30 competitors and represent bullfighting academies across Andalucia. Organisers and local elected officials framed the events as training and a celebration of regional tradition; the mayor of Lucena told the crowd the event would be held again next year.
Becerradas are the most amateur tier of bullfighting and can act as a stepping stone to novilladas, where young fighters must kill slightly larger bulls and enter official rankings. From there, successful novilleros may take part in the alternativa ceremony to be ordained as professional matadors and move on to corridas facing toros bravos, animals usually four years old and older.
Bullfighting schools, or Escuelas Taurinas, train young people in posture, cape work, strength and the history of the sport. Andalucia, often described as the birthplace of modern bullfighting, has dozens of such schools; organisers say there are 31 in the region and about 400 students enrolled. Ages for students typically begin around 12, with legal limits restricting children under 16 from fighting live bulls in many contexts. Most becerristas, however, are between 16 and 18.
Supporters cite artistic tradition, regional identity and economic contribution. Longtime spectators told local media that charismatic young fighters and social media followings have helped revive interest among some right‑wing youth. "It’s making a bit of a comeback with young people because there are some inspiring fighters," one supporter said at the Lucena event. Prominent festivals in Sevilla and Madrid remain among the most lucrative stops for professional matadors.
Critics and animal welfare groups say the practice is cruel and dangerous. PACMA, Spain’s national animal protection party, called becerradas "the ultimate cruelty," arguing that young animals suffer prolonged deaths and that the practice indoctrinates children into accepting violence toward animals. PACMA national secretary Javier Sanabria said in an interview that very small segments of the population actively promote the sport among youth and that public subsidies have been essential to its survival.
The risks to humans were underscored by recent fatal and serious injuries in Iberian bullrings. Earlier this month in Portugal, a 22‑year‑old forcado, Manuel Maria Trindade, died after being gored during a debut performance in Lisbon. Separately, footage from a competition in Villaseca de la Sagra showed Joao D’Alva thrown and gored, injuries that reportedly required surgery. Such incidents highlight the physical danger faced by both apprentices and professionals.
The debate over bullfighting’s place in modern Spain is also political. A Sigma Dos poll for El Mundo cited by analysts found that 78% of Spaniards are not fans of bullfighting, though the same survey reported that just under half of respondents opposed removing the sport’s protected cultural‑heritage status. Political parties differ sharply in their positions: support is higher among hard‑right and conservative voters, while left‑leaning parties and animal‑welfare groups press for restrictions or bans.
Economic arguments are contested. Advocates point to fairs, tourism and ancillary jobs linked to breeding and arenas, while critics question public subsidies and the distribution of government support. In 2024, Spain abolished a national annual bullfighting award worth €30,000, a move presented by some analysts as reflecting changing public sentiment and concern over animal welfare.
For young fighters, the career path can be precarious. Novilleros and aspiring matadors typically earn little in the early years; reports indicate starting fees of about €1,000 to €3,000 per fight. Rising stars may command larger sums — some mid‑level names can earn €10,000 to €30,000 for major appearances — and the most successful international matadors can earn far more, occasionally cited in media reports as commanding fees up to several hundred thousand euros for major events. Sponsorship and endorsements exist but are more common among the highest‑profile professionals.
Training regimens emphasize physical conditioning, technique and tradition, and bullfighting schools also prepare pupils to answer critics. While girls and women are legally allowed to train and perform, males still dominate the circuits, and female participation remains limited in numbers.
The Lucena final, free to enter and crowded with toddlers, teenagers and older regulars, illustrated the tensions that define contemporary Spanish bullfighting: strong local devotion and theatrical pageantry on one hand, and vocal national and international opposition and safety concerns on the other. Organisers and many spectators view events such as the Circuit of the Becerredas as a cultural apprenticeship; opponents call for legal and cultural shifts to end what they describe as a violent spectacle.
As young fighters pursue professional status, the sector’s future will hinge on shifting public attitudes, political decisions about subsidies and heritage protections, and the continuing balance between local tradition and national debate over animal welfare and public funding.