Brazil football fans wary of Kaka church donation

By Tatiana Ramil

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - AC Milan's Kaka has inspired and disappointed Brazilian football fans in equal measure by donating his FIFA player of the year trophy to a controversial evangelical church as an emblem of his Christian faith.

The gold-plated trophy is on display in the entrance of a Sao Paulo branch of the Apostolic Reborn in Christ (Renascer) church of which Kaka is a devoted member.

"I deliver this up joyfully to God, because he is the reason behind every victory," reads the inscription on the trophy, penned by the player who celebrates victories by gesturing to the heavens and revealing an undershirt with the slogan: "I belong to Jesus."

Curious fans and regular churchgoers have flocked to see the trophy since it was put on display in early February.

"There is a great deal of curiosity. People come in, some of them take photos, and their admiration is plain to see," said a preacher at the church, who requested anonymity.

A constant stream of visitors have been lining up to photograph the trophy, one of whom, Marelo Lima, a 49-year-old commercial representative, said: "This is a beautiful gesture, just wonderful. I am not a member of this church, but this is fair tribute."

The trophy is displayed against a backdrop of posters and videos of the 25-year old player in action.

UNHAPPY FANS