Beckham feels the strain.

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England captain David Beckham is confident that his side will be better equipped for future major championship campaigns as a result of their experiences at this World Cup.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's team bowed out of the competition after losing 2-1 to Brazil on Friday but have enjoyed a relatively successful trip.

Impressive wins over Argentina and Denmark have fuelled hopes that this young England side can hit even greater heights in the next European Championships and the 2006 World Cup.

"We all learn things from playing in major competitions and World Cups," Beckham said.

"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."

Despite yesterday's defeat, Beckham insists he is proud of what his side has achieved in the Far East.

"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."

Asked whether he thought he had been fit enough to do himself justice, Beckham said: "Who can say?

"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."

Beckham claimed it was unfair to suggest that had players like Steven Gerrard and Gary Neville been fit the side could have progressed even further.

He said: "It's not really fair to say that if we had had players fit then we'd have gone further - the whole 23-man squad have been excellent all way through.

"I don't think there are problems with the national team. 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."

The Manchester United midfielder conceded he thought England were going to beat Brazil - and that he would go on to lift the trophy.

"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."

And the skipper repeated his plea for no retribution for David Seaman, whose blunder led to Ronaldinho's winning goal.

He added: "He's got nothing to be upset about. It was a freak goal and to blame David for that would be a disgrace."

And Beckham paid tribute to England's fans during the tournament - as well as hosts Japan and Korea.

"I think they've (England) been the best fans in the World Cup. Wherever we travel they travel with us - they've been excellent. We have to thank our nation for the support they've given us.

"We have to thank Japan as a nation and I know for sure a lot of players will be coming back."

Beckham revealed his personal highlight of the tournament was beating Argentina, and rejected suggestions Brazil were a shadow of their former selves.

He added: "Whatever you think they're not as big as they used to be, they're still a big team. Maybe we should have done better when he (Ronaldinho) got sent off.

"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."