Manuel Díaz "El Cordobés" said goodbye to the arena last Sunday, October 15, after three decades of impeccable career. He did it with honors, in Jaén, where he cut off an ear and left the square hugged by his father, Manuel Benítez "El Cordobés." One unforgettable afternoon, together with the right-handers Curro Díaz and El Fandi, seven ears and two tails were distributed.
However, everyone was anxiously and excitedly awaiting the moment of farewell to one of the best bullfighters on the national scene. At around eight in the afternoon and with the square practically full, Manuel Benítez "El Cordobés", scissors at the ready, cut his son's ponytail. A moment of maximum emotion - and unthinkable just a few years ago -, with both with tears in their eyes, but with a smile.
A moment that earned a spontaneous ovation from the public, who wanted to give their particular recognition to a bullfighter who has walked through the bullrings making the thousands of followers who have followed him happy for decades.
A career that began in 1993 in Seville, led by Curro Romero and in the presence of Espartaco; and that ended yesterday in Jaén, a city that welcomed him as a child and that said goodbye to him in an emotional goodbye; accompanied by his family and friends, and with the unanimous recognition of the bullfighting world.
In the stands, his wife, Virginia Troconis; and the three children of the right-hander: Manuel, Triana and Alba, the first-born, the result of his marriage to Vicky Martín Berrocal. However, it was the presence of Manuel Benítez, who came with his partner, María Ángeles Quesada; the one that caused the greatest expectation, since his attendance would have been unthinkable until just a few months ago.
Accompanied by his three grandchildren, it was precisely Benítez who had the honor of cutting his son's ponytail and thus marking his definitive retirement from the arena. Of course, not before merging with him in an emotional hug that earned a loud ovation from the audience.
On February 14, Manuel Díaz shared that he had managed to smooth things over and reconcile with his father after more than 50 years of estrangement, no type of parent-child communication and an eternal war in the courts. With a beautiful black and white image in which they are seen hugging, the two bullfighters announced that it was a historic day for both of them.
"The photo of my life," wrote Manuel Díaz, who at 54 years old finally had a father who recognized him as his son after more than half a century of refusal, who learned of his court ruling in 2016: they were, without a doubt, a father and son.
"There has been a rapprochement and it will now come to light. Normal, because look, between fathers and children, between mothers and children, things happen, but we are going to forgive this and we are going to give each other a hug," he assured. Benitez then. "We are human and these are things that happen."
Seven years later, the two are together, in the square they love so much. Just as Alba Díaz, the eldest daughter of "El Cordobés" and Vicky Martín Berrocal, said a few months ago: "Life is very short and time flies."
