Rio Ferdinand doesn't do European championships, having been omitted in 2000, banned for 2004 while England never even reached 2008, but he loves a World Cup.

Rising to challenge: Rio Ferdinand is inspired by Sir Bobby Charlton's example

South Africa will be his fourth, equalling Sir Bobby Charlton's England record. Ferdinand went to France 98, playing as a left-winger in a World Cup warm-up game against Caen, but never featured in the tournament proper (echoing Charlton in 1958). Ferdinand starred in Japan/Korea 2002 and then survived the pain that was Germany 2006. Now he moves alongside a Manchester United and England legend.

"It's crazy because Sir Bobby is up there in lights for me,'' said Ferdinand, looking incredibly lean and fit after training here in Irdning. "He comes into the dressing room after games at United and says 'well done'. He is someone you put up on a pedestal, someone you would love to aspire to be like. To equal any one of the many records he holds would give you a real sense of achievement.

"He spoke to me before I came here with England in the changing room after the Stoke game. He told me to go to South Africa, be myself, be confident and I would be fine. He is the perfect ambassador, not only for Manchester United but also for football. There are never any negative vibes that come off him.''

Now 31, Ferdinand's desire to deliver this summer partly stems from his frustration at missing Euro 2000, a turning point in his career. Kevin Keegan chose Gareth Barry instead as a reserve centre-half, a decision that angered Ferdinand, who went on holiday to Ayia Napa and ended up on the front pages.

Ferdinand realised he needed to be more professional. "My pride was hurt. I had to sit and watch the team play and I had a feeling that 'I should be there'. I remember running around the park near my mum's house with Carl Leaburn before going back to pre-season [at West Ham] with a sense of embarrassment.

"I was just going through my career and if I had carried on that way I might now have been playing for a lower league team – no disrespect but that's a fact. I wouldn't be here now. I took stock. It was more the embarrassment walking down the road knowing people were thinking 'He's not even in the England squad any more'. That embarrassment spurred me on to work harder. In the November after that summer I went to Leeds.

"It was a lifestyle and professional change. I began to train harder and think about football more. I wasn't going round to my mates' houses until two in the morning, playing computer games and listening to music. I was just more serious about football. Each stage of my career has gone up a notch in terms of taking care of myself. From West Ham to Leeds I went up a notch, then from Leeds to Manchester United I went up again in terms of professionalism.

"That moment [in 2000] was a big part of what I am now. I'm not on the rave scene like I used to be. I was on the clubbing scene all the time when I was young and if there were any parties to be known about I would get a phone call from people because I was the go-to man. That has changed now because I have kids. A good night out is to go to a restaurant and have some food. If I want to have a glass of wine then I have a glass of wine, but I don't really go overboard any more. There are times when you do go overboard but it is at the right time.'' He's matured. Having experienced the pain of being overlooked in 2000, England's captain will "provide a shoulder to lean on'' if required by any of the seven omissions next week "and tell them it's not the end of the world''.

He has played under a range of captains, from Alan Shearer to John Terry, Lucas Radebe to Gary Neville and a certain combative Irishman. "Roy Keane spoke his mind. Keane was never one to hold back but I wouldn't do it the same way. He was very honest; sometimes it wasn't taken well but 90 per cent of the time people took something from it. You don't always agree with it – I certainly didn't – but if you get it off your chest you get respect.

"I like the responsibility. Every youngster grows up wanting to be captain of their club and this is England. There is no prouder accolade than leading out your country but it won't mean as much if we don't win anything. If you lift the World Cup it doesn't matter who the captain is as long as I have a medal around my neck. You go down in history as one of the best teams, the best players.

"There are players from 1966 still being wheeled out to do appearances. It means so much to the country. Countries get caught up in the emotions. What's important is that the players don't get caught up like that. It's great for the country to dream. But we have to be professional.''

Some of the first-half errors in last week's friendly win over Mexico provided a "good reality check'', particularly when Fabio Capello started his analysis of the video. "It's not a good moment when you know he's coming to you. You hope he goes past it but you find out more about yourself when things are not going well. We beat Jamaica 6-0 in 2006 and everyone thought we were going to be world-beaters, but Jamaica weren't even going to the tournament. We have a better sense of perspective this time.''

After his injury travails, Ferdinand has been impressing in training. "I feel good. My movement is good. My sprinting is better than it was over the last 18 months.'' He looks and sounds ready to match Sir Bobby's record.