Most watched videos in August: From Lionel Messi’s first day at PSG to Marc Marquez’s horrifying crash

The new season began in earnest in August and we witnessed some unbelievable moments on BT Sport.

From Lionel Messi’s first day at PSG after his sensational move from Barcelona to a horrifying MotoGP crash, we showed some unforgettable action.

Here btsport.com takes you through the 10 most watched videos of the month as we count down the biggest clips in reverse order.

10. Highlights: Cannonier vs Gastelum

Our countdown begins with highlights of the UFC middleweight bout between Jared Cannonier and Kelvin Gastelum.

Both were looking to propel themselves back into title contention with an emphatic win after defeats to Robert Whittaker.

In what was billed as a compelling contrast of styles between the naturally bigger Cannonier and the technically adept Gastelum, it was ‘The Killa Gorilla’ who emerged victorious.

It was no masterpiece but Cannonier claimed a unanimous decision win in a very competitive contest.

What's next for Cannonier? Israel Adesanya has expressed his desire to fight him, while he could face the winner of Darren Till’s upcoming bout with Derek Brunson in what would effectively be a final eliminator for the world title.

9. Highlights: Hall vs Strickland

Fight fans enjoyed a sensational month of action on BT Sport and the UFC theme continues on our most-watched countdown with the highlights of the middleweight showdown between Uriah Hall and Sean Strickland.

It was the red-hot Strickland who ended Hall’s impressive run of form with a comfortable decision win at the UFC Apex.

Strickland’s output was relentless and he put on a striking clinic against a devastating knockout artist in Hall.

The 30-year-old American has been in inspired form since returning to the UFC after recovering from a motorcycle accident and will be a handful for any middleweight in the division.

He’s clearly becoming a firm favourite with BT Sport viewers, too.

8. Rio reveals his role in Ronaldo’s sensational Man Utd return

A day is a long time in football. Hours after Cristiano Ronaldo was being widely tipped to join Man City, it was announced that he was making a fairy-tale return to Man United.

How did his sensational Old Trafford return conspire so quickly? BT Sport’s very own Rio Ferdinand could have played a pivotal role.

Coming it at number eight in our countdown, Ferdinand reveals the part he played in the move to Jake Humphrey, Joe Cole and Joleon Lescott.

“The moment that myself and a few other people at the club found out that the opportunity was there for him to join Man City, you could never see him wearing a sky blue kit. It just couldn’t happen,” he said.

So, after one of the most remarkable endings to a summer transfer window, Man United may have agent Rio to thank for Ronaldo’s return.

7. Pick that one out! Ayling levels for Leeds 

We witnessed an absolute cracker in our opening Premier League game of the season when Man United demolished old rivals Leeds 5-1 at Old Trafford.

The moment of the game arguably came when Leeds defender Luke Ayling scored a thunderous strike to draw Marcelo Bielsa’s men level early in the second half.

The 30-year-old picked up the ball in the United half, took one touch and rifled a superb effort past the diving David de Gea to send the travelling fans into delirium.

Unfortunately for Ayling and Leeds, they conceded four more goals in quick succession at a raucous Old Trafford and suffered a galling opening day defeat.

While Ayling’s wonder strike won’t be any consolation to Leeds supporters, it was one of the most talked about moments on BT Sport in August and a goal that will live long in the memory.

6. Wow! Márquez “lucky to walk away” from 170mph crash 

This one is not for the faint-hearted. MotoGP legend Marc Marquez suffered a heart-stopping moment when he crashed his bike at 170mph and skidded for over 100 metres at Silverstone.

The incident occurred in practice ahead of the British MotoGP as the Spaniard approached Maggots Corner at the famous track.

He lost control of his bike and began tumbling across the grass for approximately 100 metres, eventually ending up on the tarmac in an unbelievable moment.

Fortunately, the six-time world champion who only returned from a broken arm in April after almost a year out, returned to the track soon after and competed in Sunday’s British MotoGP.

Marquez said afterwards: “Unfortunately at the end of FP1 I had a big crash and in that crash I had some sand inside my eye.”

5. Classic British GP: The Doctor's maiden premier class win

As Valentino Rossi prepared to compete in his final British Grand Prix, we took a trip down memory lane to relive his first win in the premier class - way back in 2000 at the iconic Donington Park Circuit.

The iconic rider, at the time the reigning 250cc World Champion, demonstrated his prowess with a tour de force in slippery conditions on the Honda.

He came out on top after a fierce battle with the Suzuki of Kenny Roberts Jr and the Aprilia of Jeremy McWilliams.

After his breakout triumph, he went on to secure consecutive podium places in the next three races.

Unfortunately for Rossi and his legion of fans, he wasn’t able to podium at the 2021 British GP but his win over 20 years prior kick-started a legendary career that will never be forgotten.

4. Behind the scenes at Messi’s first day at PSG

After 672 goals and 35 trophies, Lionel Messi departed Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in what was one of the stories of the summer.

Considered one of the greatest players of all time, the Argentine superstar was given a hero’s welcome when he arrived in the French capital.

As the exclusive home of Ligue 1 and the Champions League, we decided to take a behind-the-scenes look at the 34-year-old’s first day at his new club.

From greeting the fans to an emotional embrace with compatriot Mauricio Pochettino, it was a day that will go down in history in France.

BT Sport viewers will be able to follow Messi’s fortunes all season long and clearly this epic montage struck a chord, coming in at fourth in our most watched videos in August.

3. Explosive power! Jared Cannonier’s best UFC KOs

BT Sport viewers were well and truly in the mood for Jared Cannonier’s blockbuster meeting with Kelvin Gastelum after watching his best knockouts in the UFC.

This superb montage demonstrates ‘The Killa Gorilla’s’ explosive power, from his huge left hand against Cyril Asker to his brutal finish of Nick Roehrick.

Cannonier wasn’t able to add another KO to his resume against Gastelum but emerged victorious nonetheless and could be in line for a title shot.

Failing that, he could even square off against Britain’s Darren Till if he beats Derek Brunson in his next bout.

What is for certain is that Cannonier is an integral part of the middleweight title picture and no one should bet against him adding even more viral KOs to his record.

2. Valentino Rossi announces his MotoGP retirement

It was the news many expected but none of us wanted to hear.

Valentino Rossi, one of the most iconic and charismatic sportsman of all time, announced that he will retire from MotoGP at the end of the 2021 season.

“I decided to stop at the end of the season,” said the nine-time world champion.

“Unfortunately this will be the last half-season as a MotoGP rider. It’s difficult, it’s a very sad moment because it’s difficult to say and to know that next year I will not race with the motorcycle.

“I do this thing for more or less 30 years. Next year my life will change. But anyway, it was great, I enjoy very much this long, long journey and it was really, really fun.”

Thanks for the memories, Valentino.

1. Rio meets Jadon Sancho

Our most watched video in August was an unmissable interview with Jadon Sancho conducted by our very own Rio Ferdinand.

The new Man United star speaks candidly about a whole host of issues including linking up with his new teammates, playing street football in south-east London and Messi’s PSG move.

He also discusses United’s potential aims for the season and playing alongside Bruno Fernandes.

It’s a must watch for all United fans and it proved a big hit with BT Sport viewers ahead of our opening Premier League game of the season between Sancho’s new club and Leeds.

Stay tuned for more ‘Rio Meets’ throughout the season as Ferdinand catches up with more of the game’s biggest names.