"Of course we've got to be disappointed at going out, but I'm also very proud of everyone involved," he added.

"Everyone has worked very hard to prepare for this, from the management down to the players, and we have achieved a lot.

"Our expectations were very high but some people didn't think we'd even get through the group stages."

With such a young side - only 6 out of the squad were aged over 30 - the skipper is certain that the experience gained during the World Cup will pay dividends in the future.

"We all learn things from playing in major competitions and World Cups," said Beckham, at his final media conference before leaving England's base at Awaji Island for the last time.

"We are a young team and of course we need experience in big tournaments. I feel as a young team we have done well - to reach the quarter-finals for such a young team is brilliant.

"Playing against other top teams and top players has to improve you as a player and we are lucky that we have enough young players to have another chance to build on what they have learnt.

"A lot of them were playing in their first World Cup and they will come on a ton for the experience."

The skipper's own fitness was the main topic of conversation in England for weeks prior to the World Cup, and Beckham could now give his own assessment of how he had come through.

"I felt fit enough and that was enough for me and the manager.

"Obviously it didn't help being out for eight weeks but I felt I was coming back to full fitness."

The England captain revealed that he had thought his side would both defeat Brazil and go all the way to the Final.

"I thought we had the beating of Brazil," he admitted. "If we had got to half-time still ahead - they were looking a bit bewildered and what-to-do in first half. To concede just before half-time made it hard and when they scored just after half-time it made it even harder.

"I've been feeling we would go all the way. I just had a funny feeling we would go all the way and we've not."

As the team headed for the airport and the flight home, Beckham's immediate priority was clear.

"We just want to get home and we just want to see our family. We would rather have gone home in 10 days, but we enjoyed every day here."