The football world paid tribute to the 34-year-old former Socceroos skipper at the Johnny Warren Football Foundation gala dinner on Monday night.

And while he was happy to be home again in Australia, Viduka said it would be tough to watch his former teammates run out onto the field in South Africa next month.

"I think it will be difficult watching them go out - the heart will be racing but I think it's the right thing to do," he said.

Adjusting to life without football was proving difficult.

"It's very difficult to just - stop - all of a sudden," he said. "I think if I played for the national team, I think, physically, I don't think I could do that job."

He admitted injuries in the back end of his English career at Newcastle United made it tough for him to continue.

And Viduka said he was surprised by the criticism aimed at Australia during the World Cup qualifying campaign.

"A lot of people have sort of undermined their achievement," said Viduka. "I think it's a massive achievement getting to the World Cup."

But he said the game was heading in the right direction.

He added: "I think it's also a testament to Australia, on the other side of the coin, that people are thinking in those ways.

"Before we were just rapt to get to the World Cup, now people are expecting it which I think is good for Australian football."

He believes the Socceroos could be more battle-hardened thanks to tough road and altitude trips they have been forced to face in Asian qualifying.