20 years after his debut in the Seville arena,El Cid will say goodbye to what has been one of his great bullrings
Manuel Jesús Cid Salas, known by all as ‘El Cid’, faces his 2019 farewell to the bullrings; at least dressed in lights, since he will not disassociate himself from bullfighting world. His season began in Valdemorillo and will be present in all the fairs, but perhaps one of the most important is the appointment with his countrymen, on May 9 at the April Fair in Seville, his land. That land that saw him leave for the capital of the kingdom in 1994 and that has seen him leaving on shoulders the Prince Gate four times.
El Cid on shoulders at Las Ventas
Madrid has been a fundamental piece in his career. Hardened in the steer-bullfights of the so-called Valley of Terror, he debuted at Las Ventas in 1995 and, thanks to the triumph at the night contest organized by Vía Digital in 1998, he made his way as a steer-bullfighter. In 1999 one of his dreams would be fulfilled: to make the ‘paseíllo’ in the Maestranza of Seville. It was on May 2 with steers from Torrestrella and he cut an ear.
The alternative would arrive in Madrid, from David Luguillano and with Finito de Córdoba as witness. It was on April 20, 2000, with a bull from José Vázquez. Then began, again, a hard road. He had to win again the position in the fairs, this time as a bullfighter. No one has given Manuel Jesús anything, his triumphs have been the result of his effort. His golden years would be from 2002 to 2007, culminating with his enclosure with Victorino bulls in Bilbao, when he left on shoulders Vista Alegre Bullring after cutting four ears.
Four Gates of the Prince, three Great Gates of Las Ventas, important triumphs in France…the list of successes is extensive, and could have been many more but for the sword, his Achilles heel. Victorino Martín cattle expert, with a golden left wrist of and a classic and deep bullfighting concept, this 2019 will be the last opportunity we have to enjoy the art of one of the figures of contemporary bullfighting.
The afternoon of Seville will undoubtedly be one of the most emotional and special in his goodbye.
Happy week, bullfighting lovers!
