DAVID BECKHAM: I've retired to be a taxi driver for my boys, but I'd be proud if England asked me to help out... I miss playing for my country more than anything

• The former skipper says he would like to help England out in the future
• He was capped by England 115 times, and scored 17 times 
• It is five years since Beckham pulled on the England shirt for the final time
• Beckham captained England a total of 59 times between 2000 and 2009
• The 39-year-old retired from football last year after his time at PSG
• Former Man United star insists the club bringing in Falcao is 'incredible' 

David Beckham’s pulse is racing. The passion is burning brightly in his eyes. ‘I miss playing for England more than anything,’ he declares.

At a time when the national team has just played in front of 40,000 supporters in a friendly against Norway at Wembley, it feels good to hear it from Beckham. Really good.

It is five years since Beckham pulled on the England jersey for the 115th and final time in a World Cup qualifier against Belarus at Wembley. For a man who has become a footballing icon across the world, that white shirt still holds a special meaning for him.

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Finest moments: David Beckham celebrates after scoring the famous equaliser against Greece in 2001, a goal that saw England secure qualification to the World Cup in dramatic fashion at Old Trafford

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Pep talk: Sainsbury's Active Kids ambassador Beckham speaks in a motivational session for young athletes

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Manager? Beckham on the sidelines for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, a tournament he was injured for

Listen to Beckham for a few minutes and he could be leading the national team out at Wembley or the young boy practising those famous free-kicks on Ridgeway Park in Essex with his old man.

His enthusiasm hasn’t dimmed in the years since his retirement. It is still compelling. ‘I loved the meet-ups, the games, being captain 59 times, everything about playing for England,’ he reveals. 

'They are my proudest times as a player. I miss Manchester United and Real Madrid and all the other teams I played for but I miss playing for England more than anything.

‘When England comes around, or they are playing in a World Cup, that’s what I miss.’

And England miss him.

How Roy Hodgson could do with a dose of Beckham in that dressing room as he prepares for their opening European Championship qualifier against Switzerland on Monday. Beckham thrived in the big-game environment.

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White and red: Beckham had plenty of fine moments in an England shirt, scoring against Greece (left) and the winner against Argentina (right) in the finals, four years after being sent off against the same opponents

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Across the continent: Beckham's time at Manchester United ended in 2003, with a dream move to Real Madrid

‘When you don’t beat Costa Rica, Uruguay and even the Italians at the World Cup it is disappointing,’ he says.

When he stretches out his arms to make a point about England’s dismal tournament, the reach on his right hand is restricted by some heavy bandaging. 

He was knocked off his motorbike by some paparazzi — ‘they wait outside the house every morning’ — while he was holidaying in Los Angeles over the summer. ‘My thumb was dislocated, I just popped it back in,’ he reveals. ‘It will be OK but I don’t know if the bike can be fixed.’

The same can be said of the England team but Beckham believes in the young players who have been brought into Hodgson’s squad. He says: ‘Roy’s intention is to bring in young players. The more experienced players have stepped down. Steven Gerrard has gone and so has Frank Lampard. Wayne Rooney is the most experienced now and he is the captain, so there is something to build with.’

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Skipper: Wayne Rooney was named England captain, taking over from Liverpool's Steven Gerrard

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Armband: Beckham skippering England in a win against Trinidad and Tobago in 2008

The decision to appoint Rooney into such a prestigious role has been met with cynicism, something Beckham had to deal with during his time as England captain. ‘I made mistakes when I was captain of the country and did silly things but I grew into it and it made me more mature,’ he says. ‘You realise you have a real responsibility on and off the field. You have to lead by example.

‘Wayne will get the best out of the players, he has always played with his heart on his sleeve and it will be no different. He will work hard, play hard, that’s the way he is and he will lead by example. I never hid as captain and Wayne has never hidden either, even when he has had difficult times on the pitch by not scoring or not had a great game.

‘You will never see him not working. That will be one of his strongest qualities. Rooney is the leader and Roy has his plans with the players we have. Raheem Sterling is performing at Liverpool and so is Daniel Sturridge. Danny Welbeck is strong too.’

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Head-to-head: Beckham playing against Rooney while on loan at AC Milan in the Champions League in 2010

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More to come: Beckham believes Manchester-born Danny Welbeck is a strong option for England

Beckham cares deeply about his country and he still reflects on a missed opportunity at Euro 2004. A special time, he calls it.

Last week his best man Gary Neville claimed it was the best chance England have had to win a trophy since Bobby Moore lifted the World Cup at Wembley in 1966.

England were beaten on penalties in the quarter-final by Portugal in Lisbon after Wayne Rooney, then 18, was substituted with an injury after just 27 minutes.

When he went off, the belief in the England team went with him. ‘When Wayne got the injury, we all felt it. He was such a threat at an early age. The likes of Stevie G were coming through and he was playing at the top of his game at an early age. We had a lot of talent.’

Those days are behind Beckham and he has other projects in his life now that he has retired from the sport. Management is not for him and, when we meet, he was still scalding himself for telling a television station a little earlier that he might be up for it in ‘ten years’ time’.

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Farewell: Beckham waves to the Wembley crowd during a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Belarus

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Looking on: Goldenballs was forced off in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final against Portugal with injury

‘I wish I hadn’t said that, why did I say that?’ he asks of himself in the sort of conversation you can imagine him having when he got home to his wife Victoria.

‘Management has never crossed my mind. At the moment I have no interest in coaching or management.

‘If I was to do it in the future I would do it in the right way like Scholesy, Giggsy, Butty, Gary or Phil (Neville),’ he stresses.

But Beckham has so much experience, so much knowledge. He must have something to offer. The thought gives way to a tricky next question.