Camilla Jessen
Manuel Maria Trindade died during his first-ever bullfighting performance.
22-year-old Manuel Maria Trindade tragically lost his life during his first bullfight after being hurled into a wall by a charging bull in front of a stunned crowd of thousands.
Fatal Debut in Lisbon
A 22-year-old bullfighter has died after being violently slammed against a wall during his debut appearance at the Campo Pequeno Bullring in Lisbon, Portugal, on Friday, August 22.
Manuel Maria Trindade, performing as a “forcado”, was attempting to provoke the bull for the “pega de cara”—a traditional Portuguese bullfighting sequence where a group of bullfighters subdues the animal using only their bodies.
Tragically, the bull’s charge ended in disaster.
Thrown Into the Wall Before 7,000 Spectators
During the performance, Trindade tried to grab the 700kg (almost 1600lb) bull by the horns to slow it down, as is customary.
But the animal, enraged, launched him into the air, then charged him into the arena wall, delivering severe head trauma in the process.
Nearly 7,000 spectators watched in shock as Trindade’s fellow bullfighters struggled to regain control of the animal.
Footage of the incident, now circulating on social media, shows the horrifying moment when the bull made contact with Trindade and tossed him like a rag doll.
Died in Hospital Hours Later
Trindade was rushed to hospital and placed in an induced coma, but doctors were unable to save him.
He died 24 hours later after suffering cardiorespiratory arrest caused by the head injuries sustained in the attack.
According to the Daily Mail, this performance was Trindade’s very first—he had recently joined an amateur bullfighting troupe, following in his father’s footsteps.
Bullfighting Under Renewed Scrutiny
The bull’s fate remains unclear, though Portuguese law prohibits the killing of bulls in the ring—unlike Spain, where matadors often deliver the final blow as part of the spectacle.
Despite rising controversy, bullfighting remains legal in Portugal, Spain, parts of France, the Philippines, and a few other countries.
Animal rights groups have long condemned the practice, calling it outdated and inhumane.
Another Death in Colombia
Trindade’s death comes just weeks after another fatal bullfighting incident in Fundación, Colombia. There, 35-year-old Yovanis Marquez died after being gored by a bull during a festival known as ‘corraleja’.
Video from that event shows Marquez attempting to leap over the bull, only to be violently tossed into the air. Although he stood briefly after the incident, witnesses say he collapsed seconds later and died of his injuries in hospital.
One spectator told El Tiempo: “He stood up as if he was fine, but the blood was flowing. It was only a few seconds before he fell to the ground.”
A Tradition That Continues to Claim Lives
Both incidents have reignited debate around the safety and ethics of bullfighting, which—while steeped in cultural tradition—continues to result in injuries and fatalities, not only for animals, but also for participants.
