My 7 year old says hes not popular

[LMcmahon]

My 7 year old said he's not popular as he's not anyones favourite person at school.
I tried telling him I dont believe thats true, just because he's not everyones favourite dont mean people dont like him, but that didn't help.

Then i told him that there's more to life than just being popular, hes a wonderful kind boy and thats what matters, but that didnt make him feel any better either.

What can i say to make him feel better? And to make him see that popularity isnt the be all and end all.

Has anything prompted this? Pairing up for “ find a partner” activities and being left out or pick a team
( awful) in PE?
Is he feeling left out at break times? Maybe speak to his teacher to see if they are noticing anxiety around this. He might just be getting more aware of friendships in school.

Must be important to him if he’s told you. Does he have friends out of school?