A teen matador reported to be 16 was declared the winner of the Becerradas Grand Final in Lucena, Córdoba, on Sept. 7 after a performance that earned him two ears and a tail — awards reserved by judges for the most highly rated displays. The event, part of the Circuit of the Becerredas for apprentice fighters known as becerristas, drew a full house including children, teenagers and older spectators and reignited discussion in Spain about the future of bullfighting.
Manuel Real, known in the ring as “Realito,” was awarded 47 points by the judges and was carried from the ring on the shoulders of supporters after the decision. Video from the event shows the young fighter parading trophies taken from the animal and receiving acclamations; he later posted on social media that Lucena had been a special moment he would not forget. Six finalists reached the Lucena final after a series of qualifying rounds that narrowed an initial field of 30 competitors from bullfighting schools across Andalusia.
Becerradas are amateur events in which young fighters, typically aged between 16 and 18, gain experience fighting becerros (young bulls). The competitions are staged as part of a progression that can lead to novilladas, the alternativa ceremony that ordains a matador as a professional and then to the corridas featuring larger, mature toros bravos. Apprentices generally do not receive fees for these early fights and often pay to take part, organizers and schools say; starting professional honorarios for new matadors typically range from about €1,000 to €3,000 and can rise substantially for established stars.
Supporters and local officials framed the Lucena event as cultural tradition and an economic contributor. Aurelio García, mayor of Lucena, pledged to hold the Becerradas again next year, and some spectators told local media that charismatic young fighters and social media exposure have helped renew interest among younger audiences. Andalusia, long regarded as the birthplace of modern bullfighting, is home to dozens of bullrings, including Sevilla’s Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza, and to 31 regional bullfighting schools, according to numbers cited by local outlets.
Animal welfare groups and many Spaniards, however, continue to oppose the practice. PACMA, Spain’s leading animal rights organisation, denounced becerradas as particularly controversial because they involve very young animals and said the events amount to cruelty. Javier Sanabria, PACMA’s national secretary, told reporters that the group considers becerradas an extreme form of suffering and criticised public subsidies and political protection that, he said, sustain the industry.
Public opinion surveys illustrate the divide. A Sigma Dos poll published for El Mundo in April found that 78 percent of respondents said they were not fans of bullfighting, while 48 percent opposed removing the practice’s protected status as cultural heritage. Political differences were visible in the survey, with higher support for bullfighting reported among voters of right-wing parties.
The recent season has also underscored the risks to human participants. This month, a 22-year-old Portuguese forcado, Manuel Maria Trindade, died after being gored during a debut performance in Lisbon. Separate footage from a Spanish competition showed another fighter, João D’Alva, thrown and seriously injured, requiring surgery. Organisers and trainers emphasise safety measures and supervision in youth competitions, but fatalities and severe injuries remain a recurrent reminder of the sport’s dangers.
Rituals and scoring in Becerradas follow long-established bullfighting conventions. A fight typically involves an opening phase during which assistants use capes to test and tire the animal, followed by work from banderilleros who place barbed sticks, and a final faena in which the apprentice uses the cape and, if successful under the scoring criteria, delivers the kill. Judges award points for artistry, bravery, and the cleanliness of the final act; the president of the ring may grant trophies — ears or tails — and the crowd also signals approval by waving white handkerchiefs. In rare cases a bull may be pardoned and returned to the ranch, a high honour reserved for exceptional animals.
Training academies teach technical skills, physical conditioning and the historical and cultural aspects of bullfighting, and some students come from multi‑generational bullfighting families. Schools also prepare pupils for media scrutiny and public criticism, organisers said. There are no formal gender restrictions in most schools, though women remain underrepresented among professional matadors.
The ritual and pageantry of the ring coexist with shifting national attitudes and policy changes. Last year Spain ended a €30,000 national bullfighting award amid growing public unease over animal welfare. In some localities where conservative parties have regained control, officials have moved to restore or protect bullfighting events and overturn bans imposed during previous administrations.
Bullfighting’s long history in Spain is often invoked in public debate. Historians trace the modern form of the matador’s role to the 18th century innovations of Pedro Romero of Ronda, who helped transform the spectacle into the structured arena-based practice seen today. Supporters cite cultural heritage and economic arguments, while opponents argue that evolving social values and animal protection norms warrant further restrictions or abolition.
As the season continues, young fighters on the Becerradas circuit will press their cases in arenas across Andalusia and beyond, pursuing the narrow path from student to novillero to professional. For some, the ring offers a route to national recognition and, for a small few, substantial earnings; for many others, it remains a contested tradition in a country where public opinion and political choices are increasingly in flux.