No. Islam encourage people to be active and stay healthy through sports but you just have to wear proper attire. For example, a Muslim footballer should cover his aurat like wearing tights under his his shorts to cover his knees.
Yes, professional football is haraam because you are exposing the satr (private parts) including the knees and sometimes you are playing when it is namaaz time you are sitting idle. Also in some cases depending on your intentions you are playing to win (i.e money) also when you are playing professional football you sweat which makes you smell and you get dirty. In the hadeeth it says'Tahaarah (cleanliness) is half of Imaan.
Yes it is haraam to watch football because you are looking at the satr (privat part) of other people (e.g. knees). Also sometimes you are watching it when you are meant to do namaaz. It is not haraam to watch cricket but it becomes haram when you are meant to be praying namaaz.
France
lukas podolski is famous for his professional football playing
Any modern day professional football player in the U.S
The Carlton Football Club, nicknamed "The Blues", are the only professional team representing Carlton in the Australian Football League (AFL). They are one of 18 teams playing Australian rules football.
Jamie Carragher first started playing professional football in the 1996-1997 year/season. So, knowing this, he has been playing now for 13-14 years professionally.
Johann Cruyff retired from playing professional football in 1984.
Fernando Redondo is famous for playing football. He was essentially a defensive midfield player. He is from Argentina. Fernando has now retired from playing professional football.
No professional ones as he's retired from playing professional soccer. Roy is now the manager of Ipswich Town Football club , who play in the Championship League
I think he got drafted in 2009.
Steve Young was 38 years old when he retired from playing professional football. He was playing for the 49ers when he retired.