![It's there one minute ... and gone the next. This "magic spray" has been one of the stars of the World Cup in Brazil.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/140708104423-world-cup-spray.jpg?q=w_2531,h_1685,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Vanishing spray's big presence —
It's there one minute ... and gone the next. This "magic spray" has been one of the stars of the World Cup in Brazil.
![It has been introduced in order to give top stars such as Lionel Messi more of a chance to show their dead-ball skills.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/140708104718-messi-spray.jpg?q=w_3000,h_2172,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Vanishing spray's big presence —
It has been introduced in order to give top stars such as Lionel Messi more of a chance to show their dead-ball skills.
![First the match official sprays around the ball, as seen in the previous image, and then marks out the 10 yards (9.15 meters) to where the defending team's wall must retreat.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/140708104934-croatia-brazil-spray.jpg?q=w_2136,h_1479,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Vanishing spray's big presence —
First the match official sprays around the ball, as seen in the previous image, and then marks out the 10 yards (9.15 meters) to where the defending team's wall must retreat.
![Previously, players have tested officials -- and the patience of opponents and watching fans -- by getting as close to the free-kick taker as possible.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/140707182003-spray-2.jpg?q=w_2740,h_1822,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Vanishing spray's big presence —
Previously, players have tested officials -- and the patience of opponents and watching fans -- by getting as close to the free-kick taker as possible.
![Here English referee Howard Webb tries the vanishing spray during a seminar for 2014 FIFA World Cup referees on March 27, 2014 at the home of FIFA in Zurich.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/140708105302-howard-webb-spray.jpg?q=w_3680,h_2453,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Vanishing spray's big presence —
Here English referee Howard Webb tries the vanishing spray during a seminar for 2014 FIFA World Cup referees on March 27, 2014 at the home of FIFA in Zurich.
![The spray was first tested in junior leagues and then at age-grade international tournaments, such as the 2013 South American Under-20 Championship.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/140708105607-under-20-referee-spray.jpg?q=w_1894,h_1841,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Vanishing spray's big presence —
The spray was first tested in junior leagues and then at age-grade international tournaments, such as the 2013 South American Under-20 Championship.