After 12 years away, Victorino Martín returned to Málaga for a bullfight full of risk and unexpected drama. At La Malagueta, Saúl Jiménez Fortes and Emilio de Justo were carried out on shoulders after standout performances. Manuel Escribano suffered a serious goring but chose to finish his fight before seeking medical attention. The contest took place on August 21, 2026, during the bullring’s 150th anniversary season.
The afternoon opened with a shocking incident. Victorino Martín’s first bull, known for its unpredictable temperament, gored Manuel Escribano in the lower right leg, leaving a 15-centimeter wound. Despite the injury’s severity, Escribano insisted on continuing. He argued that an immediate trip to the infirmary would keep him from returning. He proposed switching the order of the fights with his fellow matadors and the event organizers, so he could face his next bull while adrenaline still numbed his leg. Those present, including the authorities, widely respected the gesture.
Escribano faced the fourth bull without banderillas or the traditional opening, concentrating on controlling the animal with powerful passes. The bull proved difficult. As Escribano’s pain grew, he shortened his performance and finished with a decisive sword thrust. The crowd answered with a wave of handkerchiefs, moved by his determination. As he collected his ear award, the audience sang “Happy Birthday”: he turned 42 that day. He then made his way to the infirmary amid chants of “¡torero!”
Emilio de Justo took center stage next, showing composure and skill against a demanding Victorino bull. His precise technique and handling of the animal’s challenging movements earned him a strong ovation, though the president denied him an ear. De Justo’s second bull, the fifth of the afternoon, was just as fierce. His bold performance earned him two ears. The president’s earlier decision drew controversy, but De Justo’s overall showing secured his exit through the basic gate. Later in the season, he added another major result: at Jaén’s Feria de San Lucas, he was named Triunfador de la Feria after cutting three ears and a tail.
Fortes produced one of the day’s most memorable moments with Borracho, the fourth bull, which received a lap of honor after its death. Fortes drew out the animal’s best qualities in a technically demanding, artistically rich faena. His work earned him two ears. The sixth and final bull was less cooperative, and Fortes could not repeat his earlier success. The Diputación de Málaga later awarded him his fifth Estoque de Plata “Antonio Ordóñez” for his August 21 performance. The award honors Ordóñez’s legacy. Diputación president Francisco Salado described him as “a true legend, a reference point and one of the great figures in the history of bullfighting, whose name is closely tied to Málaga and Ronda.”
The medical report confirmed that Escribano underwent surgery under general anesthesia for a deep wound in his lower right leg. His prognosis was described as reserved. The bullfight featured six Victorino Martín bulls, four of them five-year-olds, noted for their seriousness and physical presence. The fourth bull stood out for its exceptional quality; the first was considered the most problematic. Borracho later received the Colegio Oficial de Veterinarios de Málaga’s Trofeo al Toro más Bravo de la Feria Taurina de Málaga. The distinction was presented at the college’s IV Gala de la Tauromaquia at the Teatro Cervantes, where Victorino Martín García received the award.
In the official summary, Escribano, in slate and gold, received an ear in his second fight; De Justo, in white and jet, earned two ears in the fifth; and Fortes, in peacock blue and gold, took two ears with Borracho. Fortes and De Justo both left on shoulders, bringing the evening to a triumphant close. The anniversary season drew more than 100,000 spectators, while season-ticket subscriptions at La Malagueta rose by 32%, information from El MIRA.
The spectacle at La Malagueta drew impressive attention. It echoed the public turnout at other major events in Spain, including a recent coordinated demonstration by Catalan pro-independence groups, which also brought thousands together in a show of unity and passion. For more on large-scale gatherings and their impact in Spain, see this report on the Catalan Diada mobilization.
Bullfighting remains a controversial yet deeply rooted part of Spanish culture, and each event reflects both its artistry and the dangers participants face. The Málaga bullfight on August 21, 2026, will be remembered for its emotional highs, the matadors’ ability to recover and the exceptional quality of Victorino Martín’s bulls.
