Resident of Puebla, 46 years old, about his childhood: The first time I stood in front of a calf was when I was 5 years old.

Morante de la Puebla, 46 years old, spoke candidly about his childhood, recalling how he first encountered a young bull at age five. “The first time I stood before a calf was when I was five years old. I already felt that fire,” he recounted in an interview published by ABC on July 22, 2026. His words reveal a deep connection with bullfighting that began in early childhood, shaping the path of one of Spain’s most accomplished matadors. Born on October 2, 1979, in Seville, Morante grew up in La Puebla del Río, a town without a tradition of bullfighting. His father worked in a rice-processing company in a nearby village, while his mother managed household duties. Despite this modest background, the young José Antonio, his given name, expressed an unusual fascination with bullfighting from an early age. According to his mother, he once cried upon seeing a costume with lights, a detail that has stayed with him. He recalls the memory clearly, even though it feels distant, yet the image of that costume remains vivid in his mind. His passion for bullfighting was evident long before he could afford a proper outfit. For years, he would ask for the costume during Christmas, hoping Santa Claus might bring it. When he didn’t receive it, he reportedly told his family, “Then I don’t want anything else.” This moment, according to Morante, marked a turning point. It wasn’t mere childish stubbornness but a clear recognition of what filled his life: bullfighting. “I don’t know whether these things were from a child or a boy who had everything very clear,” he later reflected. At the age of five, Morante’s fascination turned into action. He faced his first young bull, described as a calf, and delivered a strike that left him shaken. “I hit it, and then it charged me, and they caught me there,” he recalled. From that moment, he felt the pull of the profession, the so-called “venenillo” that drives many in the world of bullfighting. That experience became the catalyst for a lifelong dedication to the art. Rather than attending formal bullfighting schools, Morante learned through hands-on experience. He spent time in open fields, learning from local aficionados and participating in informal gatherings in bars where discussions about bullfighting took place. He attended local calves shows and watched bullfights in Seville’s plazas, absorbing knowledge from observation and practice. His talent eventually caught the attention of Leonardo Muñoz, father of renowned matador Emilio Muñoz, who became his first official manager. As he matured, Morante acknowledged the challenges inherent in the profession. “As one grows and becomes aware of the difficulties this career brings, one matures and takes it more seriously,” he explained. While peers pursued interests such as football or science, Morante saw bullfighting as his true calling. “Just like any other child, no, because I lived exclusively for the bull,” he said, contrasting his experience with others who focused on sports. “My childhood wasn’t normal, but it was the childhood I wanted. Because I wanted to be a bullfighter, and what I loved was training.” Morante’s journey from a curious child to a master of the craft reflects both personal conviction and an enduring cultural legacy. His story continues to inspire, rooted in a childhood shaped by passion and perseverance.