The third novillo turned on Álvaro Serrano during a muleta sequence at Las Ventas, and the 22-year-old could not stand. He was carried to the bullring infirmary as the serious cornada abruptly ended his solo appearance.
The wound reached 20 centimetres into the inner side of the lower third of his right thigh, damaging the adductor and hamstring muscle groups. Doctors also found a contusion to the femoral artery, but the vessel was not severed. The Las Ventas medical report classified the injury as serious and said he could not continue the performance.
Surgeons operated inside the bullring under general anaesthesia. After Serrano was stabilised, they transferred him to Hospital Fraternidad Muprespa-Habana for further tests and monitoring. Doctors needed to assess damage from the wound’s ascending trajectory into the adductor and hamstring muscles.
Serrano, from Navas del Rey, was making his first appearance at Las Ventas in an encerrona, a solo challenge against six novillos. The incident came during the afternoon’s third bull, from the Conde de Mayalde herd. Serrano had begun a muleta sequence against an animal that had taken little punishment in the ring and was showing danger. On the second series, the novillo turned into him and struck him. Serrano could not get back on his feet.
Reports differ on the precise point of initial contact. Some place it around the right knee, while the confirmed medical injury was to the right thigh.
Serrano appeared alone at Las Ventas during the Feria de Otoño on October 10, 2026. Facing six novillos in the Madrid arena was meant to mark another step in his rise, but the goring stopped him before he could complete the challenge. The cuadrillas carried him to the bullring infirmary, where doctors operated. Before the event, supporters from Navas del Rey organised buses to Madrid, while Telemadrid and TLMAD planned coverage.
After Serrano was evacuated, the programme continued with substitute matadors Aitor Fernández and Héctor Roberto. The six-novillo lineup also included animals from Domingo Hernández, Fuente Ymbro, Luis González Conde, Montealto and Julio de la Puerta. It was the fifth event of the 2026 Feria de Otoño.
Máximo García Padrós, chief surgeon at Las Ventas, told Mundotoro the injury was serious. He said the wound’s ascending trajectory destroyed tissue in the adductors and hamstrings. The femoral artery was bruised but remained intact.
García Padrós said Serrano arrived in large pain and shouted in the infirmary. The estimated recovery period is about 20 days.
Serrano was transferred to Hospital Fraternidad Muprespa-Habana after receiving treatment at the plaza. Doctors there were expected to conduct additional examinations and monitor him after the initial intervention. An earlier report examined how the same interruption affected the Las Ventas programme.
