David Beckham is 39 years of age; he’s played professional football for 20 years in England, Spain, France, Italy and America. He can purchase a Major League Soccer expansion team for £25m and he is aiming for a Miami-based team to be playing in 2016 or 2017. But he might not be done lacing up boots himself.

David BeckhamDavid Beckham in 'Into The Unknown'

Appearing on a BBC One documentary, Beckham hinted that he might yet play professionally again. "There's never been a player-owner but maybe?” he said. The documentary sees the former England player travel 800 miles by motorbike, canoe and plane into the Amazon rainforest on a mammoth 12-day trip.

Beckham, who is making his first foray into television since retiring, admitted he had "a tough time" after retiring as a player but has enjoyed "a stage of enjoying the rest" and is tempted to come out of retirement.

“Now I go to watch a basketball game and, when you are watching athletes play at the top of their game, it gives me that itch again and I want to be back in the game and I start thinking to myself 'Could I play again? Could I go back? Could I come out of retirement and start playing again?’”

David BeckhamDavid Beckham [Credit: Anthony Mandler]

Beckham’s footballing career was kicked into the limelight with his famous goal against Wimbledon in 1996. Icon status soon followed at Manchester United where he would become a talisman for the club. Successful stints both off and on the pitch at Real Madrid, L.A Galaxy, A.C Milan and Paris Saint Germain would follow while Beckham built himself into as much of a brand as he was an athlete.