Moment 'Messi of matadors' is tossed around between bull's horns while clinging on for his life - months after he was horrifically gored in Spain

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 08:28 EDT, 14 September 2026 | Updated: 08:52 EDT, 14 September 2026 This is the moment a top bullfighter dubbed the 'Messi of matadors' was tossed around by a bull after he became trapped between the beast's horns. Andres Roca Rey, 29, was lifted off his feet and clung on to the raging animal's horns after he was hoisted up and carried around the amphitheatre in Arles, southern France. Video captured the black bull ramming Roca Rey who then flailed helplessly as he grappled to free himself from between the horns.Others rushed to Roca Rey's aid and frantically try to subdue the bull, known as Vicioso. As seconds pass, a group of around ten men managed to halt the beast and hold up the bullfighter, before they were able to free him.The group then tried to distract the bull with coloured sheets, leading it away from the bloodied Peruvian matador who was helped to his feet.The beaten and bruised bullfighter then, remarkably, returned to face the bull – which was stabbed by one banderilla, a barbed wooden dart used in Spanish bullfighting. Mr Roca Rey is one of the industry's biggest stars, known for his bold style, earning his comparison to the Argentine footballer. He was brought into Spain aged 13 to progress his career as a bullfighter. He now has Spanish citizenship. However, he is no stranger to accidents in the bullring. Last week's incident unfolded months after Roca Rey was gored in Seville, Spain, in April. The bullfighter was left with a deep gash in his leg after being impaled and lifted into the air. Andres Roca Rey was lifted into the air and clung on for his life after he was impaled and carried around the amphitheatre in Arles, southern France, last week Video captured the black bull ramming Mr Roca Rey from behind before catapulting him on to its head, where the matador remained lodged behind his left horn The group then try to distract the bull with coloured sheets, before they are able to lead it away from Mr Roca Rey who is later helped to his feetThe Peruvian matador has had several uncomfortably close encounters with the horned beasts, including in October 2024 when he was tossed like a rag doll while attached to the bull's horns.Mr Roca Rey was then flipped over into a somersault before he came crashing down onto the sand and curled into a ball to try and protect himself.The animal then launched into a second attack and speared the matador's uniform, shaking him violently as bystanders rushed in to assist as he laid in a crumpled heap on the ground.The bullfighter was gored five times in his first five fights.He caught media attention when a shocking video of him being gored by a rampant bull emerged in 2016.The incident marked the fourth time Mr Roca Rey had been gored that year. He had been back on his feet for only a few days after being knocked unconscious during an earlier event.The footage shows how the bullfighter had a near miss, leaving some questioning whether he should consider a different career.The bull could be seen catching Mr Roca Rey on its horns as he attempted a flamboyant pass with his cloak. Stunned spectators watched the then-teenager being sent spinning around the bull's horns before being thrown to the arena's sand floor. Last week's incident unfolded months after Roca Rey was gored in Seville, Spain. The bullfighter was left with a deep gash in his leg after being impaled and lifted into the air (pictured) The Peruvian matador has had several uncomfortably close encounters with the horned beasts, including in October 2024 when he was tossed like a rag doll while attached to the bull's horns A video captured the horrific moment the matador was impaled by one of the beast's huge horns in 2024 Then – for a heart-stopping moment before help can get to him – the young bullfighter was gored and trampled by the angry 1,400-lb animal.Spectators feared the worst as his seemingly lifeless body was carried away by helpers while others tried to tame the bull.The extent of his injuries was not made clear but he is said to have suffered concussion and a shattered right cheek bone and has been ordered to rest by medics.According to polling in 2025, around 77 per cent of Spaniards oppose bullfighting. This includes more than 80 per cent of those under 35.