“Obviously, we feel the absence of the best player in the world, but we all have to chip in to help the team just like we’ve been doing these past few matches”, added the Uruguayan.
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But the defending champions are still without the injured Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta for the match against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
The result sees Madrid return to top spot, temporarily at least, with Villarreal not in action until it faces third placed Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Madrid went ahead in the 27th minute after a fine combination between Marcelo and Ronaldo.
Jese would eventually have the last say at the Bernabeu as he made it three with a stunning finish after being set up by Lucas.
Benitez was without Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric, James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema through injury, whilst Gareth Bale was withdrawn at half-time due to his exertions on worldwide duty with Wales over the past week.
Considering Benitez has won La Liga, the Champions League, Europa League and various domestic cups all over Europe, while his “rival” has only secured the Irish first division with Limerick, we can’t really tell why Allardyce is picking a fight with a managerial heavyweight.
Marcelo gave the hosts a first-half lead before Ronaldo’s 324th Madrid goal took him beyond Raul in the club’s scoring charts and made the game safe.
Rayo created plenty more chances of their own and finished the game having had more possession than the home side – repeating the feat they managed as the last team to do similar in a league fixture against Barca two years ago.
And within seconds Levante were punished for again giving the ball away as Toni Kroos squared for Ronaldo to thunder home his 11th goal of the season.
It’s previous two La Liga matches, against Malaga and Atletico Madrid had ended in draws and left it trailing early season league leader Villarreal atop the table.
“We were missing a lot of people and Cristiano took on the responsibility”, Benitez said.
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The visitors almost got the equalizer a minute before Ronaldo’s goal, but a stunning save by Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas denied a header by Brazilian striker Deyverson.
