'Lionel Messi of Matadors' Andres Roca Rey gored by 1100lb bull after being brutally slammed into ba

Publish date: 2024-06-11

Andres Roca Rey, known as the 'Messi of Matadors', was taken to hospital after sustaining injuries in a scary bullfighting incident.

The 26-year-old was crushed by the 467kg (1100lb) beast at an event in Santiago, Spain.

Roca Rey was flung into the barrier by the beast and gored, with the Peruvian shortly taken to hospital afterwards on Tuesday.

The bull, named Viruta, charged at the matador dragging him into the boards, before he was then thrown into the air.

Roca Rey was then pulled to safety, with spectators watching on in disbelief.

Despite sustaining many injuries across his eight-year career, it was his worst goring to date.

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Reports outlined a 'polytrauma affecting the left knee' and 'multiple bruises on the neck, face, right thigh and left knee'.

His bull fighting partner, Cayetano Rivera, managed to help Roca Rey during the incident in Galicia.

On Instagram, Roca Rey wrote: "Cayetano, I want to thank you because yesterday you showed your camaraderie and your contempt for life to save mine."

Rivera said the risk 'was worth it'.

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The star, like Lionel Messi, moved from South America to Spain during his childhood to focus on his sporting career.

Roca Rey is now recovering in his home in Seville, and is already eyeing a return to action in Huelva on August 3.

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