![\"Josh](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_Brentford-v-Sheffield-Wednesday-Carabao-Cup-Fourth-Round-Gtech-Community-Stadium.jpg\")
Josh Windass in action for Sheffield Wednesday(Image: PA)<\/p>\nWindass tore into the youngster branding him ‘p***’ in a scathing rantJosh Windass in action for Sheffield Wednesday(Image: PA)<\/p>\n
Released Sheffield Wednesday kid Joey Phuthi admits he was blindsided by Josh Windass<\/a> calling him ‘p***’ \u2013 and says his tale about comparing himself to Lionel Messi was taken out of context.<\/p>\n Former Rangers<\/a> forward Windass told the story on Open Goal about a young player called Joey who allegedly failed to run more than 9k during games.<\/p>\n He claimed he was asked to speak to him about it, before accusing him of being ‘p***’ and throwing Messi<\/a>‘s running stats in his face as a counter-argument.<\/p>\n But 20-year-old Phuthi, who was just released by Wednesday with just two appearances to his name and is on the lookout for a new club, has spoken out on Windass<\/a>‘ claims and reckons he’s missed out a key detail or two.<\/p>\n He wrote on X: “It’s disappointing to be called out by Josh Windass during what’s already been a really tough period for me \u2014 not being offered a new contract at Sheffield Wednesday has been difficult to process, and the last thing I expected was to be dragged into something like this.<\/p>\n “For clarity, the conversation has been completely flipped out of context. Windass asked me to name a player who doesn’t run over 10km in a game, and I responded honestly in that moment \u2014 it wasn’t personal, nor was it meant to be disrespectful. It’s frustrating to see things taken out of proportion when emotions are already high.<\/p>\n “I’ve always tried to conduct myself with honesty and respect, both on and off the pitch. All I want now is to move forward and focus on the next chapter of my career.”<\/p>\n Speaking on Open Goal, Windass had said: “We had a young lad called Joey. I think he’s been released, he’s p*** anyway.<\/p>\n “I was speaking to him in the canteen and one of our coaches said ‘have a word with Joey, he never runs more than 9k in a game, ever.’<\/p>\n “I asked him how much he ran in a game. He said 9k, then went ‘Messi don’t run.’ That’s what he said, a kid. I didn’t say anything, I was just thinking ‘you’re the worst player ever, and you’re talking about Messi’.”<\/p>\n Follow Record Sport<\/strong> on Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a> and Instagram<\/a> for all of the up-to-the-minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.<\/p>\n You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers<\/a> and Celtic<\/a> pages, and sign up to our newsletters<\/a> to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.<\/p>\n We’re also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here<\/a> and our Celtic community here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tune in to Hotline Live<\/a> every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport’s newest podcast, Game On<\/a>, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.<\/strong><\/p>\n